THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1913. RECIPROCITY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 1736, 22 January 1913, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1913. RECIPROCITY.

Apart from the complex industrial problem, which is juit now involving Xew Zealand in grave anxiety, there is no question that concerns the producers of the Dominion more than that of reciprocal trade relations. It is satisfactory, therefore, to note -that tho Massey Government, following on the lines laid down by its immediate predecessors in office, intends taking measures with tho objecc of removing the anomalies at present existing in the Customs tariff. The visit of the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher to the Commonwealth will, it is hoped, result in tho opening of negotiations which will terminate in a reciprocal tariff between Australia and New Zealand. As the Dujuedin Star points out, tho proposals have been too long "in the air" already, and since they were last discussed tho trade between the Commonwealth and the Dominion has considerably increased in volume, notwithstanding tariff antagonisms. The existence of closed doors between the various portions of tho British Dominions is being more vigorously kicked against year by year, and can hardly continue to offer serious resistance .much longer. The tentative measures placed on our Statute Book in 1903 with the object of encouraging trade between this country and other parts of the British Empire have produced some satisfactory trade responses. If this desire to deal wi'th British manufacturers rather than -with foreigners finds expression in preferential duties, it may frankly be assumed that the removal of obstructive duties that beset intercolonial trade <will bring about much larger and more satisfactory results. Tho element of guesswork need not enter into tho discussion of these reciprocal trade treaties, for shippers on both sides of the narrow sea, that divides the two communities know t.o a nicety what one side has to offer and the other can take. Trade jealousy ought not to stand as a lion in the path where tins discussion is approached in a. fair spirit of compromise, for all the signs of tho times go to show that the Commonwealth and the Dominion will have to stand shoulder to shoulder when much more serious issues arise than a, comparatively limited interchange of natural products at certain seasons in a few branches of the industry. Everyone regards with favour the. expansion of our export trade to as many markets

? lv *..*» .- -• •*.•.• tT? us wo ran supply, but certainly it is our duty, first, and foremo.-t, to establish the mc.-d- friendly conrmere.'a] relations ] >np.<ilr,:* with our kith and kin. The leading politicians in power have shown tlveir dosire for closer trade relations, and therefore the rappoacliment .should have .satisfactory results without further vexatious dekiv.