AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1927, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

lION. AIcLEOI) ENTERTAINED. , MELBOURNE, May 14. Hon. R. McLeod was entertained at luncheon by leading business men, Ivor Evans presiding. Sir Francis Dell was present. The Chairman in proposing Air McLeod’s health stilted there were great opportunities for trade between Australia and New Zealand. It was regrettable that friction sometimes was caused regarding tariff matters. ’For instance the dried fruit trade would be doubled il preference were given to Australian fruit. Ho expressed the opinion that ■trade difficulties should be settled by friendly arrangements, and suggested that New Zealand should not send butter to Australia when it was not needed, and Australia should refrain from sending flour to New Zealand at certain times. Tie strongly urged Australia to appoint a trade commissioner in New Zealand.

Tn the course of bis reply Air McLeod said he fully realised the difficulty of the Governments concerned in making trade arrangements that would give general satisfaction, and that sections of the business community were liable to regard the matter as it affected their own business. Good results had followed the visit of Mr Downie Stewart iu the matter of reciprocal tariff. He believed further benefits would accrue in both countries if a visit to New Zealand ol a Commonwealth Minister of Trade and Customs could he arranged. His Government had recently been considering the question of encouraging regular and more frequent steamer service from Alelhotirne to Fluff, but only an expansion of trade could bring it about. Since .1911 Australia bad sold to New Zealand goods valued at sixty-four million sterling while New Zealand sent in return only thirtyseven millions. In 1911 New Zealand exports to Australia represented eleven decimal three of the total export trade hut the percentage now diminished to four point live. On the other hand Australia’s share of New Zealand s imports trade remained constant at eleven per cent and until trade was more evenly balanced, an unsatisfactory position was likely to continue. In recent years New Zealand had lost considerable trade in oats, hops and ritmi timber, lie wished to learn the reason. He had been informed that the Dominion’s failure to make headway in timber exportation was due to the unreliability in the standard ol quality and measurements If this were the case he felt sure that millers would do their hot lo remedy the defects. Emin a. national point of view, the aims of both countries were similar. therefore every opportunity for friendly cooperation in trade and tourist trallie should he taken, also in commercial and industrial problems.