An examination of some aspects of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade as it affects New Zealand

Abstract

This thesis is an attempt to assess some of the benefits and disadvantages which have resulted and can be expected to result to New Zealand as a consequence of her membership of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The eventual assessment must rest on an estimate of the extent to which our basic economic objectives have been and will be, furthered or retarded by the operation of the Agreement. Accordingly Part I of the study is begun by a consideration of the objectives of New Zealand's trade policy and reference is made to some of the conflicts which may arise. Unfortunately while most people accept certain clearly defined economic objectives as desirable, there is nothing like unanimity on the policies best likely to achieve them. In New Zealand for example people's policies differ according to whether they are farmers or manufacturers, according to whether they support one political party or another, or according to which government department employs them. This conflict is far from being unique to New Zealand. Elsewhere in the world there is basic disagreement as to the extent to which specific sections of the domestic economy need protection. Thus within a broad world setting a preliminary analysis is made of the policies adopted by member nations.