TARIFF RECIPROCITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1922, Page 7

TARIFF RECIPROCITY.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. (From Our Own Corresponent.) Wellington, Feb. 18, The Minister for Customs (Hon. W. Downie Stewart) has arranged definitely to leave for Australia on March 3. His chief business in the Commonwealth will be to discuss with the Federal authorities the tariff relation between New Zealand and Australia. A mild tariff war between the two British states <of the South Pacific is proceeding at the present time. Each country is treating the other as a foreign land as far as customs duties are concerned, and this condition of affairs is not regarded as satisfactory on either side of the Tasman Sea. The Minister will be accompanied on his mission by the Controller of Customs (Mr. Montgomery). Some manufacturers and commercial men have expressed anxiety lest their interests should be prejudiced by the terms of the proposed reciprocal trade treaty. The Minister mentioned in this connection that any draft agreement prepared as a result of his visit to Australia would be subject to ratification by Parliament. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher negotiated a tariff treaty with Australia in 1913, but it did not come into operation because the Commonwealth Parliament and the new Government did not. present the arrangement for ratification.