A.—7.

Session 11. 1906. NEW ZEALAND.

RECIPROCITY: NEW ZEALAND AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly' by Command of His Excellency.

The Governments of the Colony of New Zealand and of the Commonwealth of Australia, desiring to promote trade and intercourse between their respective countries, as a means of closer union, have agreed to recommend to their Parliaments reciprocal and preferential concessions in certain Customs duties, upon the following conditions : — The respective tariffs to be amended so as to impose duties at the rates named in the schedule hereto on articles the produce or produce and manufacture of, and imported from, New Zealand and Australia respectively. No reductions or increases or impositions of duties on articles named in the schedule are to be conceded by either Government to any other country until the consent of the other Government has been obtained. In the event of any such reductions or increases or impositions of duties being insisted upon by either Parliament, this agreement shall be terminable by the other Parliament on twelve months' notice : Provided, however, that this agreement shall not be affected should Australia or New Zealand, or both, make the reduction of duties necessary to take advantage of the recent South African Customs Convention. The proportion between the special rates of the schedule and the ordinary tariff is to be maintained should either party alter its ordinary tariff. This arrangement is to come into force on a date to be proclaimed by the Governor-General and Governor of New Zealand respectively, after both Parliaments shall have accepted it, and shall remain in force for three years, and thereafter until one year's notice be given by either party. 8,. J. Seddon. Bth June, 1906. Alebed Deakin.