TRADE RECIPROCITY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 251, 18 July 1921, Page 4

TRADE RECIPROCITY

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA NEGOTIATIONS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN The Commonwealth Government, according to a statement made in the Federal Parliament lost week, is willing to negotiate an agreement of trade reciprocity with New Zealand, and has written informing the Dominion Government of the fact. This matter has not come before tho Now Zealand Cabinet yet for decision, but it may bo taken for granted that the offer to open negotiations will be accepted. Mr. Massoy and other members of the Ministry have already stated thoir willingness to discuss the improvement of trade relations between New Zealand and Australia, and ths opening of the question this year would bo opportune in view of the proposed amendment of the tariff during the next session of Parliament.

The willingness of tho Australian authorities to discuss reciprocity at the present stage may be duo in some measure to tho preparation of a new tariff in this country. New Zealand has had a reciprocal tariff arrangement with South Africa since 1907, and has several times expressed willingness to make a similar arrangement with Australia. Mt, ]•'. M. B. Fisher discussed an agreement of ibo kind in Melbourne when he was Minister of Customs, and earlier still, tho late Mr- Seddon had negotiated a draft agreement. But tho discussions havo never reached finality, nnd there have been persistent complaints on this side of the Tasman Sea that in tariff matters Australia has net treated New Zealand as a friend. The Dominion has extended certain trade advantages to the Commonwealth without receiving «milar concessions in return. The tariff Bill now being framed will provide, from New Zealand’s point of view, a sponger basis for negotiation than has existed in the post.