CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1920, Page 8

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph.-Press Assn.—Copyright. Wellington, Nov. 25. Better Customs tariff' relations with Australia were the subject of.a discussion at the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Conference to-day. Mr. W. J. Martin, on behalf of the Wellington Chamber, moved that the Government be urged to enter into negotiations with the Commonwealth authorities with the object of arranging a reciprocal Customs tariff between New Zealand and Australia. The mover of the motion said the Customs basis of our trade with Australia was not on a satisfactory basis. Last year we imported from the Commonwealth goods to the value of .■€'.■5,000,000 and exported to it £1,701,000 worth, ft was a mistake that our interests were not represented at the Commission which considered the new Australia tariff. The dutv had prevented us this season sending 100.000 sacks of oats to Australia at 5s (id a bushel and, as a result, the price here had gradually fallen to 4s fid. But for the tariff being against us New Zealand would have had an increased return of £30,000 from oats. The loss to this country in the non-export of oats and potatoes to Australia amounted to £430000 last year. .Mr. W. M. Tyers moved as an amendment the addition of the following words: "Provided that no arransement should be made which discriminates against the manufacturers of the United Kingdom." The amendment was accepted and the motion thus amended was adopted. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Orchard (Canterbury) that, in accordance with representations of the Sydney ('hiiiitlier of Commerce. Australian 'wines be admitted into New Zealand as regards Customs duly on terms as favorable as those accorded In any other country, provided \ T ew Zealand exports to Australia lie admitted into Australia*)!! (•finally favorable terms as goods imported from Australia into New Zealand. The next conference was fixed for Cl.ristchnrch.