611.47H31/72
The Consul General at Wellington (Bucklin) to the Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Department’s instruction of March 21, 1935, (File No. 611.47H31/63), replying to my despatch No. 77, of February 8, 1935.10
[Page 77]It is noted that the trade agreements calendar is crowded, and that at best it would be necessary to defer for some time the opening of negotiations with New Zealand.
In the interview with Honorable J. G. Coates on April 3, 1935, reported in my despatch No. 104, of that date, he indicated his desire to confer further as soon as word was received from Washington. As Mr. Coates is now absent, being in attendance at the Empire conferences in London, I conferred with the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Honorable Robert Masters, who has shared such negotiations with Mr. Coates.
While communicating the prospective delay and without divulging any of Department’s discussion of the butter situation or the probable unprofitableness of lowering United States tariffs on meats in exchange for lowered New Zealand tariffs on fruits, it was sought to ascertain whether the Minister of Industries and Commerce had in mind any New Zealand concessions to offer in exchange for favors desired. The impression was gathered that Mr. Masters has definite ideas concerning a mutually advantageous trade agreement, and that he has a keen interest in this, as was publicly voiced on May 1, 1935, reported in my despatch No. 120, of May 2, 1935.11 However, at this time he confined himself to remarking that during the absence of the Prime Minister and of the Minister of Finance in London he could not make any commitments, but requested that I assure my Government that New Zealand maintains a lively interest in bringing about more extended trade relations with the United States and that it was hoped that a reciprocal trade agreement might be concluded as soon as the appropriate moment arrives.
If Mr. Masters had received any report of the conversation in Washington between Mr. R. B. Campbell for New Zealand and Mr. A. H. Hansen for the United States, he did not reveal it. It seemed evident that he is expectantly awaiting the outcome of the London negotiations, and of the prospective trade arrangements between the United States and Canada. The situation here harmonizes then, with the expression of the last sentence of Department’s enclosure, viz. that it does not seem desirable to proceed until our agreement with Canada is concluded.
It must not be overlooked, however, that the Japanese are making active overtures for trade with New Zealand,—a delegation of eight prominent Japanese being here at the present time,—and that extending friendly trade relations between New Zealand and the United States may prove of far greater value than can be measured in dollars and cents.
Respectfully yours,