NO AGREEMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1934, Page 7

NO AGREEMENT

DOMINIONS’ TRADING CANBERRA CONFERENCE FAILURE OF DISCUSSION POTATOES LIKELY CAUSE AUSTRALIAN IMPORT BAN By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 1.30 a.m. Canberra, Nov. 30. Complete failure attended the conference of the New Zealand delegation and representatives of the Commonwealth Government on trade matters. When the deliberations were concluded this’evening disappointment was expressed by representatives of both sides that the negotiations had proved abortive. The following official statement was issued by Sir Henry Gullett, chairman of the conference, and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, leader of the New Zealand delegation:—“The delegates after exploring all matters bearing upon the proposals made for a comprehensive amendment and improvement of the existing trade treaty between the two Dominions decided that at the present time and under the existing circumstances an agreement could not be reached. The conference has therefore been closed although there are a few minor matters which may be further considered before the New Zealand delegates leave Australia.” It is unofficially reported that the fate of the agreement hinged upon the Commonwealth removing the existing embargo on the importation of New Zealand potatoes. The New Zealand delegates made it clear that. this embargo must be lifted before they were prepared to come to terms upon any of the otheimatters under review. The Commonwealth representatives were immediately faced with political considerations because of the export trade in potatoes enjoyed by Tasmania with all States of the Commonwealth except Victoria, which, too, objected to the entry of New Zealand potatoes.