TRADE RELATIONS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 15 December 1927, Page 5

TRADE RELATIONS.

N.Z. AND AUSTRALIA. DUTY ON BUTTER. CANBERRA, Wednesday. The Tariff debate was resumed in the House of Representatives, when the butter and cheese items were considered. The duties proposed in the new schedule are '(id British, 6id intermediate, and 7d general, as compared with 3d a pound all round under the old schedule. The Minister of Customs (Mr 11. E. Pratten) said that this item had been exhaustively investigated, and it was felt that as the dairy industry did not hold out very great attractions to those engaged therein, it was the duty of Parliament to do what it could to help. Referring to the Reciprocal Trade Agreement with Now Zealand, Mr Pratten said that the principal items which were imported from New Zealand were butter, meat, fish, and timber, which, with smaller items, represented £1,101,000 of trade for New Zealand in the items upon which New Zealand was entitled to preference. Australia sent to New ‘Zealand £1,355,000 -worth, upon which Australia was entitled to preference. In the items not enjoying preference New Zealand sent £1,215,000 worth, while in similar items Australia sent New Zealand £2,133,000 worth. It seemed to the Ministry that the time was now opportune for the. Federal Ministry to renew negotiations with the New Zealand authorities in respect of the reciprocal agreement. Mr Francis (Queensland) said that the benefits of the Paterson Scheme were almost nullified by large importations of butter from New Zealand subject to a duty of only 2d a pound. Mr Seullin said that he was satisfied that exports of butter from New Zealand were controlled by speculators. They were acting detrimentally on the producers of Australia. The item was agreed to.