RECIPROCA LTARIFFS.

Wairarapa Age, 16 March 1922, Page 4

RECIPROCA LTARIFFS.

There are indications of a coining fight on the question of reciprocity both in Australia and New Zealand. * The president of the Wellington Provincial Industral Association pointed out the other day that the Australian manufacturers were closely associated with the Commonwealth Minister for Customs in his negotiations with New Zealand, and that they were looking forward to a market in New Zealand for their output. The Wellington Association is watching the matter jealously therefore, with a view to fighting any thing in the nature of a concession to their Australian rivals. New Zealand, however, is not quite powerless in the negotiations. We import about £4,000,000 worth of commodities from Australia each year, and Parliamen3 has now decided not to give them any special preference, since Australia gives us none. Under the circumstances there is no doubt that a good bargain can now be reached. There is no doubt also, that a similar act of boldness will bring even the United Stat’es to a more reasonable frame of mind, and possibly result in a reciprocal arrangement there. As for the direction which these schemes shall take, the manufacturers of New Zealand naturally call for protection, and that naturally means higher prices for the home consumer. It is argued that the farmer should not object to fostering New Zealand industries, since this will improve his local market for his produce. That is quite true, but the farmer wants some assurance that the machinery and other things that he icquires for the cultivation and development of his land, his manures, vi oolpacks, petrol and a hundred other things will reach him at the cheapest ; I: prices. The home market nt be: . can only absorb a small portion i. ” nr wool, meat and dairy produce.

The great bulk must fight for itself ir Viprld markets. Consequently nothing can be tolerated that will inflate thi cost of production in New Zealand.