INFORMAL TALKS.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 January 1940, Page 7

INFORMAL TALKS.

TRANS-TASMAN TRADE PROBLEMS . ATTITUDE OF AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT. DESIRE FOR UNDERSTANDING. (By Telegraph—Press Asoclation.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Pre I i in i n a ry d isettss ions with the New Zealand Government on the question of import control, with the idea of trying to improve the trade position between the... two countries, are to be undertaken by the Australian Assistant Minister of Commerce. Senator P. A. M. Mcßride, who arrived in Wellington by the flying-boat' Aotearoa yesterday to represent the Australian Government at the Dominion’s centennial celebrations.

In an interview last evening Senator Mcßride said New Zealand and Australia had traded on a considerable scale in the past, and apparently to their mutual benefit. “We feel," he said, “knowing the difficulties that exist at present, that any arrangements which can be made will modify the restrictions will be worth discussing. I am over here, not to make any agreement, but rather to get the New Zealand outlook on these questions which are of great moment.”

Senator Mcßride said the fact that the balance of trade between the two countries in the past had been largely in Australia's favour was chiefly due to the similarity of the products of the two countries. The bulk of the imports into New Zealand from Australia were manufactured goods. "New Zealand itself is stimulating the establishment of secondary industries and may not in the future import to the same extent,” senator McBride said, "but we believe there will always be scope for considerable trade between the two countries particularly as we are so closel.v situated.” In order to conserve exchange Australia had introduced certain import control measures, he said, and was entirely in sympathy with New Zealand’s efforts, because Australia had herself fostered the establishment of secondary industries which she felt were’necessary to any country to bring about a proper balance in its production. "We do not object in any way to New Zealand’s efforts to foster secondary industries,” he said. There had been discussions before the war when New Zealand in order Io conserve her exchange position introduced certain restrictions, but since the war the position had been somewhat accentuated, and as Australia herself had to take such measures she realised entirely their necessity in this country. 1 "We have recognised New Zealand'? difficulties,” he added, "and her right to take the measures she deemed necessary, and provided there is no discrimination against Australia we can have no complaints at all. We feel that while there are difficulties none of these is insuperable."