JAPANESE GOODS.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19313, 20 July 1934, Page 7

JAPANESE GOODS.

NO SPECIAL ACTION.

PRIVATE NEGOTIATIONS INSTEAD

ATTITUDE OF CUSTOMS MINISTEP.

(Times Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The view that it would be unwise for New Zealand to single Japanese imports out for special tariff treatment was expressed by the Minister of Customs, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, when replying to the debate on the report of the Customs Tariff Commission in the House of Representatives this afternoon. He considered the wiser and more satisfactory course to adopt would be to enter into private negotiations with that country to see to what extent the one country could' exchange the goods of the other.

Mr. Coates said it appeared from the remarks of some members that they were of opinion that imports from Japan should be selected for special treatment. Such a course he considered would be unwise. It- had not been New Zealand’s custom to select any country for special treatment in the tariff except so far as dumping duties were concerned. The Government was giving consideration to imports from countries that were not deemed to be on the same basis as New Zealand. So far as Japan’s trade with' New Zealand was concerned the wiser and more satisfactory course would be to carry out private negotiations with that country to see how far New Zealand’s requirements could be met by Japan and Japanese requirements by New Zealand. Mr. A. S. Richards (Labour —Ros*111) : Are we doing that at present? Items Due for Reduction. Mr. Coates said that negotiations could not be carried out at present and until the tariff schedules had been finalised. Many Items on the foreign tariff were definitely due for reduction, but it was felt that the general ■tariff should be left almost undisturbed for the reason that it left New Zealand with definite bargaining points when seeking new markets for its exportable commodities. It would serve the best interests of the Dominion by making trade agreements between those countries and ourselves. There were those who said it was not feasible for New Zealand to enter into definite agreements but the Government considered that was possible. In the general tariff there was ample room for satisfactory negotiation. It was true that the moment they entered into trade agreements there were difficulties that arose. So quick and fast did changes take place It was quite possible for separate and different problems to occur on account of the changing situation. Grateful Recollections. Many of them had very grateful recollections of Japan, for it was not very many years ago when she provided New Zealand with much-needed protection. Numbers of people in New 'Zealand, in fact the nation generally, would like to be on the bot terms practicable with Japan. Japan had been treated as other nations on the general tariff list. It had been said by some members that Japan should be specially dealt with. A Labour member: Who said that. Mr. Coates said it had at least been suggested that some such action should be taken. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, had expressed keen concern about the imports coming from Japan. Mr. Savage: I said quite definitely we should exercise control over exports and imports. Mr. Coates said that would mean quantitative regulation and embargoes, and If that procedure were adopted no tariff would be needed. The moment that course was taken they were going to make It mighty difficult for traders In this country, who would not know where they stood from lime to time. „ k Mr. Savage: Do they know now? Present Method the Best. r Mr. Coates said I 'e thought so. lie did not know of any system better than the present method which conveyed a greater measure of security to'tho importing and manufacturing community. That was not to say that m ttie near future they would not have to adopt quantitative regulation as an adjunct. . t „ After quoting the import figures from Japan Mr. Coates said they were not alarming. Imports from Japan to New Zealand in 1033 amounted to £541,340, in 1932 to £ 1 3 1 ,- 746 in 1931 to £3O-i,532. and In 1930 to £565,264, and in 1929 to £625,714. He believed they should in the meantime work towards trade agreement. Some members seemed to think this could be done in five minutes. The negotiations were almost endless. Reference had been made to the hitch tariff on American motorcars and the Government thought it should be left at that until we could bargain with some of our goods.