NEW TRADE PACT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19107, 31 August 1936, Page 8

NEW TRADE PACT

DOMINION AND BELGIUM

AGREEMENT EXTENDED

(Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day. In a Gazette supplement published Inis afternoon, a modification of the trade agreement between New Zealand and Belgium, which has been in operation since December, 1033, is notified. The present modification, or extension, of the original agreement is the 'Culmination of negotiations instituted on behalf of Belgium early last year. Carrying forward these negotiations, the Minister of Customs, tno Ifoii. W. Stash, has completed aft. agreement with, the Belgian Government, under which New Zealand will exempt a number of Belgian imporst from the primage duty and also in a number of otlier eases the surtax will he remitted and duty reductions will he made. The .Minister states that this action will be of material benefit to New Zealand manufacturers, as the items from which the primage is removed are raw materials and .machinery and applian<;es used in industry.

New Zeiihuul’s direct exports to Belgium in .1035 were, valued at £(545,000, and the imports of Belgian goods into New Zealand were valued at £217,000. In addition, considerable quantities of New Zealand produce are re-exported into Belgium through the United Kingdom.

Belgium, under the new agreement, has undertaken to admit natural honey at 60 francs per 100 kilos, and to admit free sausage casings, kauri gums, and casein. The agreement is terminable on six months’ notice, by either party-