FOREIGN COUNTRIES

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20272, 14 August 1937, Page 8

FOREIGN COUNTRIES

TRADE DISCUSSIONS. AGREEMENT WITH GERMANY, MARKET FOR BUTTER AND FRUIT. (By Telegraph.—Special to Times.) AUCKLAND, Saturday. “ Following the difficulty expressed by the United Kingdom in determining its agricultural policy and the possibility of not being able to conclude the negotiations prior to the necessity for my return to New Zealand I discussed the matter with the United Kingdom ministers as to the opening of negotiations with overseas countries and then with their goodwill, subsequently visited Germany, Russia, Denmark, The Netherlands and France. “ While on the return voyage' to New Zealand trade discussions also took place with Canada, the United States and Panama." On an approach by German officials, who emphasised the possibility of trade between the two countries being extended. Mr Nash said he had towards the end of April visited Berlin and engaged in trade discussions with the German Foreign Office which had led to a tentative agreement which, after submission to Cabinet and Parliament, would be published. The agreement covered both the procedure to determine the trade as between the two countries and also a payments agreement, which provides that the whole of the credits available from New Zealand purchases from Germany shall be expended by Germany on the purchase of Now Zealand products. The negotiations at Berlin were continued In London and finalised the day prior to Mr Nash’s departure for Canada. As a result of the arrangements It should be possible to find a market In Germany tor considerable quantities of Now Zealand butter and fruit, j “In considering the goods to be imported from Germany care has been take'n not in any way to prejudice New Zealand industries nor to reduce the preferential margins to the detriment of the United Kingdom and France,” he said. French Prospects. During n visit to Paris on .Tune' 30, said Mr Nash, ho had exchanged views ■ with French officials which should i prov'de a basis for a trade agreement j between France and the' Dominion. : France was already a very good cus- | tomer of New Zealand in respect of i wool and it seemed probable Hint, a ! market could he found in that coun- ! try for oilier products, particularly ! fruit. “The position is to he further I explored with a view to the possible I conclusion of a trade arrangement i which will provide a mutual expansion I of trade,” lie' said, j The necessity lo visit the ContinI ont for I lie purposes of trade discusi sions with Holland to which commitment had been made gave the opporj tunity lo make a week-end visit to ; Copenhagen, where inquiries were | made into conditions in the Danish ! dairy industry and more especially into the exchange, and import control procedure in operation in Denmark. Dairying In Denmark. “ Following arrival at, the Copenhagen Airport on the afternoon of Sunday. .Tune 27. a visit was paid to a large dairy farm devoted to the supply of fresh milk to Copenhagen," Mr Nash continued. “Wo were accompanied on the. visit by Mr Molteson, of the Danish Agricultural Council, from whom much valuable, and interesting information was obtained respecting the conditions under which dairying in Denmark is conducted. A feature which attracted attention was the sight of some 20 cows, the best milkers, in stalls in a barn where they are fed' and milked four times a day. This was said to he the, practice for the first month or so of milking. A'l milking is done by hand. “ vigorous efforts are hplng made to eradicate T.B. from cattle in DenI mark. A visit was also paid to a large dairy factory, a small dairy factory and I a large bacon-curing factory. The discussions with the director and the secretary of tho National Bank in regard to the procedure in connection with exchange control were most helpI ful. and much useful data has been supplied in connection with the matter, which is the subject, of a speci.il report to the Government. Russian Possibilities. “ The discussions which took place, in Moscow with the Commissar of Foreign Trade and also with officials of that, department indicated that whil-3 the possibilities of extending the sale of New Zealand products in that market were limited by the fact that Russia Is herself an important producer of goods of the class generally exported by New Zealand, nevertheless It seems probable that a market may be found for a number of New Zealand products of which may be mentioned —wool, hides, sheepskins, rabbit skins and stud sheep. “ An investigation into the possibilities of this trade ts being made by the Russian Foreign Trade Department. During the visit certain aspects of internal trade were also inquired into, Including the planning of industrial undertakings and price fixing Information was also obtained respecting import and export procedure." Valuable Contacts Made. The question of the negotiation of a trade agreement with the Irish Free Slate has been under consideration tor snm e years, said Mr Nash. New Zealand enjoys a fair direel, trade with Hie Irish Free Stale, while a considerable quantity of apples is supplied exl nited Kingdom shipments. Imports <ta°ie are small and the balance of trade is largely in Die Dominions Discussion on the question of trade between the two countries took place. and Mr Dulanty. High Commissioner in Loudon for the Irish Free State. The latter country is anxious that certain | products should be admitted on the I Unite.| Kin-doin. \ promise was given | that the whole m il lor would be lookI Zealand.