MINISTER’S RETURN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 218, 14 August 1937, Page 8

MINISTER’S RETURN.

The Minister for Finance and Marketing (Hon. W. Nash) today returned from his lengthy trip abroad. Chiefly he went to negotiate a full trade agreement with the United Kingdom, but lie also visited the Continent and the United States and Canada. His simple formula to be used in the negotiations with the British Government was, "You buy from us without let or hindrance, and we will buy from you on much the same terms." Though the Minister has expressed himself as pleased with the results of his trade mission, it seems qxiite clear that he is not returning with a pact, but with the knowledge that prospects for better trade arrangements with the United Kingdom are brighter than when he arrived in England. He was able to announce an increased allocation for New Zealand mutton and lamb for this calendar year to a figure 110,000 cwt in advance of the previous allocation, but it is at least interesting to know that it came at a time when this country was not able, due to a very abnormal season, to fulfill its current quota. Nevertheless, should the new season be more favourable the industry should benefit considerably if it is able to take advantage of the new limit of 4,010,000 cwt. This, however, is but a variation of the agreement originally negotiated by Mr Coates, His visit to the Continent has impressed the Minister with the prospects from this source, for he has spoken confidently of increased trade with Germany, Holland, France, and Russia. The country will be keen to learn what these prospects amount to, and also the measure of success won in Canada and the United States, both of which countries have a substantial balance of trade m their favour. Particularly would it be interesting to learn whether the market this Dominion once enjoyed in Canada for butter is now irrevocably closed, or whether there is any possibility of its renewal in the near future. The United States, too, should offer scope for increased trade in dairy produce and meat in view of the disastrous seasons experienced by farmers there. But it is to Britain that we must look chiefly for the disposal of our surplus "produce. . Other countries may take certain products, but very little dairy produce and meat, and both these classes of exports find practically their only outlet in the expanding market in Britain. ■ We have been liberally treated by the Mother Country who, however, finds herself not able to accept the proposition of concluding separate trade pacts with the Dominions at the present juncture. The Ministers statement shows that he has had a busy time abroad, and that he returns with a good deal of knowledge on subjects relating to housing, health insurance and other matters, opart from trade.