RECIPROCITY WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8273, 29 October 1906, Page 5

RECIPROCITY WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Ootob*r 27. in the Hoaaa of Representatives, today, a Bill for establishing reciprocity of trade with South Africa wab introduced by Governor's Message. In moving for leave to introduce it, the Premier said that, though very late in tne session, ho bad no hesitation in asking the ilovas to pass an important measure of this kind. Such a coarse was absolutely necessary to preserto oar tiade with South Africa, . whljb, by the reciprocity treatien beweeo South Africa and other countries, would be shut out. The matter had Iseeu the subject of correspondence btween the Governments of the two countries. The outcome was this Bill and a suggested schedule of items. The arrangement would be with Natal, Cape Colony, and (he Orange Free State. The Bill proposed to give the Government rower to arrange a treaty of reciprocity and give effect to it by making the existing New Zealand tariff by Order-in-Council at its discretion. Whatever alteration was made must cease to have force by the 21at day after the commencement of the next session of Pailiamest, so as to give Parliament commend of the position. He had consulted v?itb 'the Leader of the Opposition. The following wore the main partioulars of the pew Ouscoms Convention as supplied from South Africa:—Preference extended to butter, oorn, grain, flour, fodder, Quaker oats, fruits, lard, and meats, general ad valorem rate uierGased 10 to 15 per cent, with a preference rebate at 3 per cent, ad valorem, 1% per cent, list raised to 3 per cent, wish a preference rebate of the whole \ amount. The distinction between refined and unreficed sugar is eliminated. The memorandum continued stated that "a preferential treatment is, of coarse, contingent on the grant by New Zealand of equivalent reoiprooal privileges, and on hearing from you the various parties to the Customs will decide as to the date on which preference may, by agreament with you, come into operation. In order to comply with the stipulations of, the Convention it is not intended that preference accorded to South Africa should correspond exaotly with that accorded to New Zealaud. The intention, rather, is that, as lu the case 1 of Canada and Australia, preference should, fcu given to articles whioh South Africa might be able to send to New Zealand It is suggested that New Zealand grant the following rebates:—leathers, 10 per oent.; fs9b, halfpenny per lb; fruit, dried and great:, whole of duty; maize. 3 per cent.; tea, Id per lb; tobacco, Is; wines, 4s per gallon; and all other articles not less than 25 per oent. of any duty whioh may be leviable. It isuuderatood that uo duty will be charged on angora hair and diamonds the produce of the South African Customs Union, without reference to parties thereto. Although some of those rebates may appear to be somewhat bigb, \ have to point out that, while New Zealand exports a considerable quantity of goods to South Africa, leturu exports are practioally nil. If your Government agrees to these proposals and legislationoan be passed in time, I suggest that preference take effect from November Ist or the earliest possible date after that." The Premier snid that reciprocity fostered the export of nations, and he hoped for the best results from the establishment, of it on these relations. Mr Massey and Mr Hanoio repreI scored that the ostrich fiarming industry may not be injured by the arrangeuieut, and the Jfreruier promised to see to it. Mr Massey said the measure was very important and far-reaching. He would never have supported it but for the clause giving Parliament command of the position at the opeuiug of the next session. He favoured the principle of reciprocity. He failed to think what articles could cocoa hero from South Africa, but realised that our export iradt might be considerably improved, i The Bill was read a first time.