§ 9. Mr. MALLALIEUasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that under the new Australia-New Zealand Trade Agreement goods from New Zealand entering Australia are exempt from the payment of primage duty, while competing British goods are subject to the duty; and whether, in view of the terms of the Ottawa agreements, he will say what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThere is nothing in the Australia-New Zealand Trade Agreement which is contrary to the terms of the agreements concluded by this country with the two Dominions at Ottawa. The Commonwealth Government undertook at Ottawa to reduce or remove the primage duty on United Kingdom goods as soon as the finances of Australia would allow, and they have already taken a substantial step in this direction.