TARIFF RECIPROCITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 March 1922, Page 5

TARIFF RECIPROCITY.

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA. MINISTER AT MELBOURNE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received March 17,' 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, March 17. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart, New Zealand Minister for Customs, reached Melbourne on Wednesday after a busy week in Sydney, meeting deputations and discussing tariff matters. At the Victorian border he was met by the Controller-General of Customs and the New Zealand Trade Commissioner (Mr. Monson). Mr. Stewart spoke at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday, having a splendid reception and creating a very favorable impression. He has received numbers of invitations to address manufacturers, the university and others. He opened negotiations on Thursday and rejected the Australian proposal to exchange the British preferential tariff. He made counter proposals to the Australian Government, which are now being considered.—Special to Press Association. Melbourne, March 17. At the first session of the Conference held between Mr. Downie Stewart and Mr. Rogers, the latter proposed the British preferential tariff for both countries as the basis for a trade treaty. He explained that there was a mistaken impression in New Zealand, also in Australia, that New Zealand was placed on the general list as a deliberate policy. The Dominion had been placed there temporarily as a point from which to start negotiations for a 'reciprocal tariff arrangement. It was desired that the Dominion should understand that the Commonwealth would like closer trade relations with New Zealand, also a general linking up on '‘■matters affecting trade relations and Empire problems. Mr. Downie Stewart replied that the offer was unacceptable as a whole and submitted an alternative scheme, Which the Tariff Board is to investigate.

Speaking subsequently at a luncheon Mr. Downie Stewart remarked that it was practically impossible to carry out an exchange because New Zealand’s production of foodstuffs was similar to that of Australia.