A.—l.

1938. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND AND SWITZERLAND. EXCHANGE OF NOTES CONSTITUTING A TRADE ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN NEW ZEALAND AND SWITZERLAND, 5th MAY, 1938, AND 20th MAY, 1938.

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

Consulate of Switzerland, Wellington, sth May, 1938. My bear Minister, — With reference to our conversations regarding the promotion of trade between New Zealand and Switzerland, I have the honour to submit the following proposals for a Trade Arrangement between our respective countries : — 1. (a) Goods the produce or manufacture of Switzerland enumerated in the Schedule annexed hereto, on importation into New Zealand, shall enjoy in all matters concerning Customs duties, or fees, taxes, or other charges payable in respect of imported goods and in all matters concerning Customs formalities treatment not less favourable than thataccorded to like goods the produce or manufacture of any other foreign country. 1. (b) The Government of New Zealand undertake to receive with goodwill and to give consideratioL to any requests which may be made by the Government of Switzerland for the grant of most-favoured-nation treatment in respect of articles, other than those enumerated in the schedule referred to in paragraph 1 (a) hereof, the produce or manufacture of Switzerland, when imported into New Zealand. It shall be understood that such articles shall be articles in the exportation of which Swiss export industries are primarily interested. 2. (a) The Government of Switzerland shall guarantee to the Government of New Zealand a quota for the importation of New Zealand apples and pears into Switzerland to the extent of 1,500 metric tons per annum. 2. (b) Swiss import permits issued for New Zealand apples and pears in general shall not be transferable in favour of like produce of other countries. The Government of Switzerland shall permit transfers of import permits for New Zealand apples and pears in favour of like produce of other countries only with the consent of the Government of New Zealand or their officially designated representatives. The Government of Switzerland, in placing the import quota for New Zealand apples and pears at the disposal of importers shall take into consideration the seasonal character of importations of apples and pears into Switzerland. 2. (c) The Government of Switzerland shall issue permits for the importation of New Zealand apples and pears on the condition that importers arrange their purchases directly with the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board or their specifically designated agents. 2. (d) In all matters concerning the procedure in connection with the granting of import permits, particularly regarding the fees imposed for issuing import permits, the Government of Switzerland undertake to accord to New Zealand products treatment not less favourable than that accorded to like products of the most-favoured foreign country. 2. (e) The Government of Switzerland undertake to receive with goodwill and to give consideration to any requests which may be made by the Government of New Zealand for the grant of import quotas for products other than apples and pears, the produce or manufacture of New Zealand, which are subjected to import restrictions in Switzerland.