TRADE TREATY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1932, Page 3

TRADE TREATY

HON W. DOWNIE STEWART RETURNS.

MINISTER SATISFIED WITH OUTCOME.

AUCKLAND, January 25

Bringing with him details of the new trade agreement which ho successfully negotiated for New Zealand in liis eonfe'renceis at Honolulu with the Hon- H. Stevens, Canadian Minister for Trade and Commerce, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, Minister for Customs, returned to Auckland in the Niagara this afternoon. Mr Stewart, whose health, has benefited considerably by the sea voyage, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his mission. Mr Stewart made the following statement:

“Nothing can be said at this stage as to the contents of the agreement that has been made with Canada, pending its submission for approval to the Cabinets and Parliaments of both countries. “However, as these Parliaments are both meeting at an early date, I hope that merchants and traders will not have long to wait before the position is defined.

SUGGESTED ORDER-IN-COUNCIL

‘lt ha s been suggested that the agreement .should be given effect, in part at least, by Order-in-Council without delay, in order that trade may be more speedily resumed. There are legal difficulties, however, in the way of this being done. “It may be urged that as the present tariff rates on Canadian goods were imposed by Order-in-Council they can be again modified, in the same way; but this aspect of the matter is specially dealt with in Section 31 of the Aot, which provides tnau every Order-in-Council under the Customs Amendment Act, 1921, may be at any time in like manner revoked or varied, save that the Order-in-Council to give effect to any agreement oi- arrangement with another country shall have no effect or operation until the agreement or arrangement has been ratified by Parliament. It will be seen, therefore, that as far as New Zealand is concerned no action can be taken to modify the present position pursuant to the agreement until Parliament has considered the whole subject.

“It will be recognised that no bargain with Canada can hope to produce anything like balanced trade, owing to the fact that Canada exports a wide range of goods required by New Zealand that are required in Canada, land, whereas there is a very limited number of items exported from New Zealand that are required in Canada. In this respect Australia was in a more fortunate position, as she was able to obtain concessions i n the rates on dried and canned fruit, fresh oranges, wines, and other goods which we do not export.

ADVICE TO EXPORTERS,

“I am pleased to say that the negotiations with the Canadian Minister, the Hon. H. H. Stevens, were conducted in a most friendly spii li of cooperation, and much useful information was obtained during (tin* con versa tions. > hope- the agreement will prove sat ist Victory to Now Zealand, and ;tint insofar its it opens up fresh channel* of ‘rude with Canada our exporters will <io tiivjr best to avail themselves of the opportunity created. Other counties are making strenuous efforts to place products on the Canadian market, and it will he necessary for New Zealand exporters to adopt the most modern marketing methods to bring their goods under the notice of Canadian purchasers. “Instances were brought tinder my notice in which the sole reason why Canadian purchasers were not buying certain New Zealand, products was that they had never been asked to do so, and on their attention being drawn to them by casual observers they were only itoo willing to buy. It Is no use the Government opening up avenues of trade if the opportunities thereincreated are not made full use of.” EXCELLENT SPIRIT SHOWN. The Canadian Trade Commissioner, Mr C. M. Croft, referred to the excellent spirit which marked the negotiations. Both parties evidenced a strong desire to reach a satisfactory agreement, and while Mr Croft would not discuss the terms of the conveination he seemed satisfied that the agreement which was reached should be of very material benefit to botli Dominions.

“It is mv candid opinion,” said Mr Croft, “that if the New Zealand exporters follow up the openings which will undoubtedly exist when the agreement- is ratified a substantial volume of export trade to Canada will follow. I believe Canada, will prove to be a valuable customer, and we arc looking forward to a resumption of the happy trading relations which existed prior to last year.”