Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-07-07
New zea|and's Premier
Wants an Agreement
To Promote Trade Between
His Country and America.
Dlseussss Matter With President Roosevelt
During Luncheon at Oyster Bay.

Sir Ioseph Ward, new premier OF Ne"
Zealand stepped from the train at Oys-
tor Bay today to keep luncheon en-
papement with President Roosevelt, ne
frankly said the thing nearest his heart
in America was the development OF
reciprocity sentiment between Ne"
zealand and the United States. When |,
Sir Joseph returned to the station two
hours later. having fulfilled his lunch
con engagement. he remarked "Rec-
iprocity Is no easy thing 10 prihs
about in this country.
Sir Joseph, adhering to rules ne mas
laid down for himself In his journey
around the world, declined to discuss
the exchange Of ideas between himseif
and President Roosevelt. MY hearty
belief in your President as states
man of strength breadth and courage,
he said, has been most pleasantly and
emphatically confirmed
From his frank statements on arriv-
ing at Oyster Bay that he intended dis
cussing the possibility of reciprocity
with the President his later comments
on that subject are interesting as in
dicating the busness-like plan he pro-
posed.
New Zealand" he said, sis ready to
make a universal 10 per cent. reduction
in her tariff to the United States in
return for a like concession. She now
grants this reduction to Great Britain
and would be glad to do so to the Unit
ed States.
1T this Is too broad a proposition,
we would be glad to make this reduc-
ton on specific articles which each ma
ton buys abroad. For instance, New
Zealand wool finds a market in the
United States. although it is purchas-
ed through England. Then we dig
gum from the ground which America
purchases In large quantities for the
manufacture Of varnish and there are
many other things in which there Is
no competition.
What we want from America is
certain grades of pine lumber. canned
salmon and many kinds Of manufacture
ed goods We buy all Of our roll-top
desks from you. We buy of America
from 100000 to 100000 annually.
There would be some opposition in
New Zealand to reducing our tariff
on lumber. but our people build their
own homes and prefer wooden houses,
and while we have timber country
we need your pine.
But" added Sir Joseph. after a
pause, you have special interests in
this country too
The New Zealand premier here ad-
mitted he knew of the number of re-
ciprocity treaties now awaiting action
at the hands of the United States Sem
ate.
New Zealand" he continued. is a
country capable of maintaining popu-
lation Of from 10000 900 to 10000, 900.
You are building the Panama canal,
and our nearest EngliSfl-Sp speaking
neighbor, excepting Australia. Our
trade is growing, our interests are
Identical. 1t would seem wise states
manship to cultivate our relations
along the commercial line and we are
willing"
AS an indication of the keen desire
on the part of New Zealand to keep
in touch with the United States COM
mercially, Sir Joseph said his govern
ment had for a number of years been
paying an annual subsidiary of $780,
900 to the Spreckels Steamship Line
to touch there every three weeks. This
subsidy Is granted under three year
contracts. at which times the appro-
priations are made.
Difficulty Is always experienced in
getting this annual appropriation and
as the Parliament, now in session, re-
news this contract, Sir Joseph is anxi-
GUS to get home.
He will sail from San Francisco on
the Sierra July IL. He leaves New
York for Washington tonight. where
he has morning engagement with
Postmaster General Cortelyou