DENIAL OF TARIFF OFFER

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1934, Page 7

DENIAL OF TARIFF OFFER

EXPLANATION BY MR. FORBES NEW ZEALAND MISUNDERSTOOD. I COMMENT BY BRtTISH RAPER. WHY WAS "PROPOSAL” REJECTED? By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. Rec. 6.30 p.m. Izindon, March 51. Following Mr. J. H. Thomas’ denial of a New Zealand offer of free trade to Britain in return for the unrestricted / entry of New Zealand produce to Britain, the Daily Express sent a cable to Mr. Forbes asking if h® could throw light on the matter... . . The reply received from Forbes stated: “The cable sent by the New Zealand Government has patently been misunderstood. It referred to the widespread belief Ph the piH Of the producers that a drastic iMuction » r removal of New Zealand protective tariffs Would ensure cOntinuaM Of the tlnrO- ' stricted entry of New primary products into tho United/Klfildoni. intention of the cable to ascertain Whether this Was the cask The Daily Express, commenting on Mr. Forbes’ reply, says: “If that Was hot an offer it may be you would call it a proposition, so Will the-British Government please say why it was turned down? ’ . INVESTIGATION OF MARKET. ANOTHER RUMOUR DENIED. By Telegraph— Press Association. Christchurch, March 31. That the investigation of its dairy produce business in Britain was Now Zealand’s town affair to be inquired into in whatever manner the Domirion thought fit, was explained by Mr. G.W. Forbes, Prime Minister, when interviewed. Mr. Forbes Was commenting on a statement current at Wellington that the British authorities had requested the NOW. Zealand Government not to send afiy delegation representing the dairy industry to England at. present as the British. Government would beinconvenjenOed in its consideration Of Import restrictions. No such message had been received by the Government, said Mr. Tqrbes.. It was highly improbable that toy Such suggestion would ever come from any official quarter in England. If .New Zealand Wished to inquire into its own business it could do so in whatever manner it decided was fitting. .