TREATY WITH JAPAN

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1928, Page 1

TREATY WITH JAPAN

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE. WELLINGTON, July 24. In tlie House of Representatives this afternooln, the Minister of .Finance laid on tlie table notes on the negotiations for a trade treaty beween Jdpn.ii and New Zealand. He said the chief benefit arising frni the trading arrangement would be a. reduction of the Japanese duty on New Zealand butter of J per lb. The Leader of tlio Opposition asked what, if any, reciprocal concessions had heen made in Japan. Mr Forbes and Mr Lee (Clamant) complained that members were not afforded information .regarding su.cli papers before they were brought down. The latter asked wliat statutory authority the Minister had to enter into such an arrangement. Mr J. A. Lee (Auckland West) said it was extremely unwise to trust an irresponsible Ministry with too much bargaining power. Members now could not liave over much confidence in “Coates and Confidence..” If bargains were to be made the House should make them. Mr Harris expressed anxiety as to. wliat terms might have been made with Japan. I.f any preference was to be given it should be given to European nations. Mr Veitch wanted to know whether New Zealand or Japan bad got tlie better of the bargain. There, were many reasons why New Zealand should treat Japan seriously. . The Minister of Customs, replying said that this new arrangement bad been made so as to obtain more favourable terms for New Zealand buttei. He had been approached by Waikato dairymen and others, and asked to endeavour to obtain, terms as favoumble as those enjoyed in Canada. The result of the negotiations was that New Zealand was now in a better position than Australia, and some Australian newspapers bad been reproaching themselves for allowing New Zealand to get ahead of Australia in such an important matter. Japan already enjoyed the advantages we extended to favoured nations, and there were no special provisions for further reciprocal advantages, although Japan would automatically share in anything further that might be allowed favoured nations. The whole object of the arrangement was to improve the position of our butter exporters.