NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 35, 11 February 1913, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA

RECIPROCITY MATTERS. BUSINESS MEN'S VIEWS. For a few minutes yesterday afternoon the subject of reciprocity with Australia was discussed by the Council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, arising out of a report from a conference of South Island Chambers, containing a resolution against reciprocity in regard to produce. Sir. C. W. Jones thought there might be some who Were of opinion that New Zealand might fairly exchange its commodities with Australia. It had aiways appeared to him that the differences of dpinion were between the producers of natural products and the manufacturers. Ho believed that the biggest objections in New Zealand had como from the manufacturers, because manufacturers were more advanced in Australia than in New Zealand. On the other hand< he could quite imagine that tho biggest objections from farmers would come from Australia, because they were always' afraid of Now Zealand produce competing against theirs. They often met people who said it would be a good thing if they had almost freeftrade with Australia, but when any special item was mentioned someone took exception to it. Mr. Leigh Hunt suggested that the Chamber should set up a committee to call evidence and go thoroughly into 'the matter. Mr. Manton said that if they had fre<strade with Australia our industries, which are in their infancy, would be mined. He thought it would, be a sorry day for New Zealand if we had freetrade with Australia. Mr. A. S. Biss thought they should ascertain whether tho Government mtended to set up a Commission to take ovidertce on the subject. Mr. Pilcher/ agreed. It would, he said, be better for the Government than the Chamber of Commerce to set up such a Commission. Mr. Hunt thought the Chamber should collect its own evidence and send it to the Government. ' Ultimately it was decided to ask the Government if it intended to set up a Commission to enquire into the subject.