POSSIBLE EFFECTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 58, 9 March 1935, Page 11

POSSIBLE EFFECTS.

LOWER LIVING STANDARDS

"Those who have voice to speak should speak strongly against this levy suggestion," said a stock merchant. If what was suggested were brought to fruition, it would mean in New Zealand lower wages and a lowering of the standard of living. "On top of that," he added, "we would not be able to pay our interest commitments in London. It is time that someone made that statement." The position for the Dominion, he asserted, would be hopeless. That had to be realised, and strong protests should be made throughout the country. Compared with Britain's total imports, the little bit of meat that New Zealand wanted to send was a mere bagatelle. "The whole -thing is disproportionate. Denmark sells about four times as much as she takes." He suggested that a levy of id a lb on our meat, with no restriction and a levy of Id a lb on foreign meat, together with a restriction of quantities, would be acceptable. There, have -ot to be quotas, but they should not be"on Empire produce, but on foreign produce, and the British Government will have to realise that." Quota Preferable? "The whole thing comes down to a matter of pounds, shillings and pence, was the opinion of another meat exporter "The levy would amount to £1 100,000 in the aggregate on all classes o Ne v Zealand meat. If the restriction on imports could be made smaller, then it woukl be a matter of business calculaup."