MR. NASH OPTIMISTIC ABOUT TRADE AGREEMENTS

Chronicle (Levin), 6 December 1947, Page 2

MR. NASH OPTIMISTIC ABOUT TRADE AGREEMENTS

NJSW YORK, Doe. 4. The New York Times' Havana correspondent says Mr. Walter Nasli told the World Trade ('onference today there was 110 reason for pessimism about producing an internatioual eliarter. This statement tvas regarded as encouraging to those, like the United States offieials, who hope the Geneva. draft charter for a proposed international trade organisation, will he adopted without einas- ( ulating changes and who have feared possible New Zealand defection becan.se of that nation 's difiicultv in recouciling its comprehensive Htnte control of imports and exports with its ideals of freor world trade. Mr. Xash said: "New Zealand is not restrictiug world trade. Exc.hange is controlled, therefore we control imports because exchange cannot be controlled without such aetion. If we lifted import iicensing we would be without currencv reserves in a sliort timc. We do give preference in tariff rates to wards Britain, mainly because of her tremendous war role. Once the balance of payments systexn has been aecepted, as in the charter, we shall give up prefereuces aml discriminalion.s. On the whole New Zealand interests are protected in the charter which preparos for future contingencies very well considering present world conditions. 'J .