TRADE RECIPROCITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 292, 2 May 1913, Page 5

TRADE RECIPROCITY.

CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND inW ZEALAND. MATURING A SCHEME. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Melbourne, Hay 1. At the conclusion of yesterday's reoipfoeity negotiations Messrs. Tudor, Fisher and Foster made the announcement that arrangements had practically been concluded so far as Australia and New Zealand were concerned, but no particulars as to details were to be made available for publication until the two Parliaments had been consulted.

The Ministers agreed only as to tlw lines on which reciprocal arrangements •were possible. At first it was thought possible to reach an agreement between Australia, New Zealand and Canada, but it was soon found that this was impracticable, owing to the totally conflicting interests of the three Dominions. It was fouud that there was no . similarity in regard to reciprocal commercial interests between Australi i an.l New Zealand. The three Ministers therefore abandoned the idea of a reciprocal treaty. Messrs. Fisher and Tudor were iu agreement on most of the items jpon which a mutual tariff arrangement copld be effected between Australia and New | Zealand, and ultimately came to an understanding. Mr. Tudor says that he will cont.mie his negotiations with Mr. Foster regardin«r an agreement with Canada. The Herald says that if the schemes which are now in the air matarfl, it is , likely that reciprocal arrangements between Australia and New Zealand will be established in other directions than commerce. With the view of discussing details of certain proposals he has in his mind. Mr. Fisher, of New Zealand, will travel from Albury to-day with Mr. Fisher, the Australian Premier. He will place before him the results of the Melbourne conferences, and it is hoped that as the result the negotiations will be advanced towards maturity. One of the subjects upon which it is suggested an understanding should be reached is reciprocal action with regard to old-age pensions, that under certain safeguards Australia should pay New Zealand pensioners resident in the Commonwealth, while New Zealand should act similarly with Australian pensioners. It is known that both Ministers are of one mind on the subject, and it is hoped that while travelling together they will a«» Tee on some of the finer details of the question. The maintaining of the wireless station erected by Dr. Mawson on Macquarie Island will also be discussed. Mr. Fisher will depart for New Zealand on Saturday.