RECIPROCAL TARIFF

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8351, 11 February 1913, Page 4

RECIPROCAL TARIFF

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA. GOVERNMENT TO BE ASKED ITS INTENTIONS. TUo question' of the establishment of reciprocity in trade between Australia and New Zealand'was discussed at the meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce yesterday. At a- conference of South Island Chambers of Commerce and Grain, Seeds, and Produce Merchants’ Association, held at C. ristchurch on December 12th, the subject was dealt with, and the report of the deliberations (already published) was forwarded to the Wellington Chamber for consideration. One of tbe resolutions carried was as follows: “That this conference considers that any comElete or general measure of freetrade etween Australia and Now Zealand is undesirable, and would not prove acceptable to either country.” In reference to this resolution, Mi 0. Jones said be thought there were a certain number of people who held quite a different opinion. The two countries, with practically the same labour conditions, might very well exchange their commodities,. At the conference there were present no maimfacturers of anything outside tno natural products of the soil. lo him, the difficulty in regard to reciprocity lay between the producers of natural products and manufacturers. He thought the most objection in Now Zealand to complete reciprocity would come from the manufacturers, because manufacturers were further advanced in Australia than in Now Zealand. On the other hand, he would think that more objections on the part of farmers would come from Australia, because he understood that New Zealand produce was, on account of duties, ahead of Australia. He was sure that it would be of general good policy to have free exchange in products between the two countries. , ~ ~ ~ Mr P. W. Manton thought at would be a sorry day for New Zealand if it had freetrade'with Australia. Certain industries would bo killed. Thpy should help to build up New Zealand concerns which were at present small. Mr A. Leigh Hunt said the matter was a very important one, and ho conside red that the chamber should set up a committee and invite anybody to give evidence before it on the question. The chamber could then form its own opinion. Mr A. S. Biss: I think it would be much better if the Government took the matter in hand. On the motion of Mr Biss it was decided to ascertain from the Government whether it intended taking any evidence on the matter.