THE TRADE PACT.

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVI, Issue 10, 6 October 1937, Page 3

THE TRADE PACT.

SIAIPLY A BUTTER BARTER, AVELLINGTON, Last night. “It does not matter how much the Government’s proposals are wrapped in words,” said the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Opposition, Kaipara), discussing the Government’s proposed trade agreement with Germany. “The fact remains that the Alinister has made an agreement which involves nothing more nor less than a matter of bulk barter. AA r e are to sell goods in Germany, hut we have no option but to receive payment in German goods. If we have to take those goods from Germany we will not he in a position to take as much from Great Britain, which still provides ns with our principal market.” If the agreement was to he worth the paper on which it was written, Mr Coates continued, it would have to mean that German goods in future would have to he purchased instead of British goods. That was a surprising admission from a Government which had stated that preference in trade would he reserved in the first place for the Alother Country, “Great Britain depends on world trade for her continued prosperity,” replied Mr Nash, “and this agreement, as a movement in world trade, is welcomed by the British authorities. There are certain goods which we want in New Zealand at present and which Great Britain is unable to supply. AA r e have been waiting from C to 14 months for certain classes of steel goods, and I think we can get some of those goods from Germany. The agreement will enable both New Zealand and Germany to extend production.” Mr AY. J. Poison (Opposition, Stratford): Do you say that this agreement will help Great Britain? The Minister: It will assist world trade,