TRADE RELATIONS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 10 December 1937, Page 6

TRADE RELATIONS

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA. IMPORTANT ISSUES. WELLINGTON, Thursday. As • a result of the visit of the Australian Minister of Customs (Mr. T. W. White) to New Zealand next week, when the whole question of trade relations between the turn countries will be reviewed, it is expected that a new agreement will be concluded, according to a statement made today by the Minister of Customs (the Hon. W. Nash). Mr. Nash said that opportunity would be taken during the visit of Mr. White to discuss every aspect of the trade relations and the manufacturing interests of the two countries, and, in addition, the question of Pacific shipping and the trans-Tasman air service would also be considered. "The main purpose behind the visit,” added Mr. Nash, "in addition to the organisation of trade relations, is to ensure to the New Zealand manu* facturer a legitimate share of trade in products that can be economically manufactured in the Dominion. All the information necessary to enable the case for the New Zealand manufacturers and the consumers to be fully investigated and presented is being collected.” Mr. Nash added that the Australian Minister was due to arrive by the Awatea on December 13, and discussions will be entered into immediately. "The Government has for some time been anxious to arrange for a revision of the existing Trade Agreement, which lias been in operation since November, 1932, and it is expected that as a result of the Australian Minister’s visit a new agreement will be concluded.” said the Minister. "This means business all right,” remarked the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), discussing the announcement made by the Minister of Customs that the Commonwealth Minister of Customs will arrive in New Zealand on December 13. _ Mr. Savage was asked if the familiar questions of the import of Australian oranges and export of the Dominion s potatoes, would come up, and "whether there would be an attempt to secure a better balance in the exchange of trade between the two countries, in which Australia has a great advantage.. "These are all parts of the discussion,” replied Mr. Savage. "We want a better understanding in our. trade relations with Australia, and this is part of the general plan of considering our trade relations with many countries. We are in communication by cable with Britain, but there is nothing I j should say at present in regard to the details of these discussions. Mr. Aas i , has also opened up negotiations with other countries, and lias informed the House on this point.”