BUTTER QUOTAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 6

BUTTER QUOTAS.

There is irony in the fact that on the veryday on Avhich Messrs. Roosevelt and Mac Donald state that one of the purposes of the World Economic Conference is the breaking down of trade restrictions, it is announced that the new trade agreement between Britain and Denmark provides for restriction of Danish butter imports. At the time of writing only this portion of the agreement has been cabled, but, of course, it is what interests New Zealand most. The British duty of fifteen shillings a hundredweight, agreed on at Ottawa, is retained, but Britain restricts Danish imports to 2,300,000 cwt yearly. Danish butter exports to England in the last five years were 2,016,000cwt, 2,204,000cwt, 2,319,000cwt, 2,466,000cwt, and 2,583,000cwt. The quota is a reduction of more than 10 per cent oh last year's figures, and it must, also be borne in mind that for years there has been a steady increase in imports from Denmark and that this quota forbids further growth. It is not a percentage, but an absolute, quota. Satisfaction, will Be felt in New Zealand at this arrangement, but it remains to be seen how much good it will do us. The reduction in Danish imports will be but a small percentage of all the butter sent to Britain. Opinion in New Zealand is against a quota for..; this country, but Professor Belshaw's study of the question, which was published this week, the most interesting we have read, shows how difficult the whole problem is. Professor like the Dairy Board, decides against the quota, but it is. possible that circumstances will be too strong for the weighty opinions set up against this restriction. He offers, however, an alternative policy, and it would be interesting to know whether the Dairy Board has been considering such measures. . • , •-■ '~ •■/.' -.., ,