NEW ZEALAND A PICTURE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4960, 9 April 1926, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND A PICTURE

IMPRESSIONS OF A VISITOR.

TRADING CONDITIONS. “

The Premier of Victoria* Mr Allan,

ha.s returned to ’ Australia, from a private, holiday visit to New Zealand. He has. given an interview to the

Melbourne Argus on his experiences and observations in the Dominion which will be of interest to New Zealanders.

Referring to. the possibilities of increaising trade with New' Zealand, Mr All/rn s.aid it was a remarkable fapt that a 35 per cent, duty wa's imposed on canned fruits and boots, among other goods, sent from Autsralia to New Zealand, whereas the duty in respect to goods from other parts of the British Empire was only 25 per cent. The duty on Californian fruits amounted to 40 per cent. He said he was quite 'Sure that there was sonic, prejudice in New Zealand against Australia. He did not know the reason for it, but he thought that a feeling existed that Australia had tried to gain an advantage over the Dominion in regard to tariffs. The feelings of New Zealanders, generally towards Australians, however, said Mr Allan, were quite friendly. He thought that the tariff differences could be settled without much difficulty if negotiations were begun between tlie twq Dominions. The Minister of Customs, the Hoh. W. Downie Stewart, had made it plain to him tliat if New Zealand were to give Australian goods preference, Australia would h’a.ve to reciprocate. Mr Allan s ; aid that he did not think a settlement would be reached until representatives 7? the two countries, conferred. It should be possible .to trade with New Zealand in canned fruits, oranges, and with the ,aid of propaganda. Nothing would be sold, however, unless Australia went after the trade. New Zealanders, obtained wheat from Australia and generally bought more from the Commonwealth thaji , Australia bought from the Dominion. .. He thought that Australia could buy more timber from the Dominion. At present New Zealand was producing much that Australia could buy. The timber shown at the Dunedin Exhibition olf a? very high quality, but he did not think that the leather was as good that produced in Australia,.

Mr Alltan said .that the New Zealand country distjricte were a “picture.” Everything was green. The cattle looked well, and New. Zealand could teach Australia, a good deal about milk, cows., and dairying. Butter wa.s being produced on land bought at £BO an acre. The nature of the pasture and the number of cows on them were striking proof of .the quality of the land. There did not seem to be much unemployment in the Dominion.