PRICE CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 28, 3 February 1939, Page 7

PRICE CONTROL.

FARMERS' NEED,

Discussion in House of

Commons,

MINISTER IN AGREEMENT,

British Official Wireless.

/ (Received 12 noon.) & RUGBY, February 2. f The new Minister of Agriculture, ' in* ; D °rnian-Smith, speak--on the House of Commons debate on a private member's motion calling tor measures to "ensure prices which ' T?" 1 .' 1 covei ' the cost of efficient production, and the regulation ' of imports, agreed -that unless there was gieater stability of prices, farmers could not maintain the fertility and productivity of their land

As to import regulations, the Government had already • accepted the ■principle of the Commodity Council as proposed in Sydney and lias favoured that method of control. He indicated that the legislation that might be necessary would be jntrodneed as quickly as possible after the conclusion of " the review of agriculture, which was now proceeding. In the first speech of Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith as Minister of Agriculture he said that if Britain was to achieve that expansion of food production from her own soil which he considered necessary, action must be swift and direct. If tliey expected workers to return to the ' laiid they must have a fair deal.

The Government already had expressed general approval of*the' Sydney proposal for the regulation of supply through a Commodity Council. Sir Reginald instanced the action taken concerning mutton and lamb, and said the Government favoured that method in the case of suitable commodities, but the general intention of the Sydney Conference was that the initiative should come from the producers.

While the Government would give help and encouragement he hoped the initiative would be forthcoming from all parts of the Empire. The Government had made good progress with its review of the domestic situation and expected to discuss proposals with tlie National Farmers' Union next week.

The "Daily Herald" says that farmers expect to get £15,000,000 a year, more than half from the State.

ALAND ISLANDS. Soviet Fears Germany May Get Control. PROTEST TO LEAGUE. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON", February 2. The Associated Press says that the Soviet has formally advised its intention to strongly oppose Sweden's and Finland's intentions to revise the International Convention of 1021, which decrees the perpetual neutralisation and demilitarisation of the Aland Islands.

Russia is not a member of the convention, which consists of other Baltic States, Britain, France and Italy. It is understood Russia will protest to the League of" Nations, claiming that the Finnisli""'Army is dominated by Germany and-that in the event of war it would be simple for Germany to assume control of any fortifications on the islands and [thus dominate the Baltic Sea.

FRIENDSHIP STRONGER. BRITAIN AND PORTUGAL. British Official Wireless. (Received 0.30 a.m.) RUGBY, February 2. In the House of Commons the Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, said that Britain and Portugal believed that the British military mission, whose work had now ended, *had strengthened the friendship uniting the defence forces of the two countries. The two Governments were in close and continuous contact on matters' of common interest relating to defence, but disclosure of arrangements of this kind would not be in the interest of the public.*

GERMAN CAMPAIGN. COLONIAL POLICY CHANGE. ■ (Received 1.30 p.m.) ' " : LONDON, February 2. Tlie "Daily Telegraph" diplomatic correspondent foresees a change in the German campaign for colonies in the direction of discontinuing references to the "old colonies" and concentrating on a comprehensive demand for colonics equally valuable to those held by other European States.

NO UNREST. POLISH-SOVIET UKRAINE. (Received 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 2. It was stated in the House of Commons by the Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, that the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, was not aware of any abnormal developments in either the Polish or the Soviet Ukraine such as might indicate that the peace of Europe was threatened in those quarters.

DEPARTURE FOR N.Z. SIR H. BATTERBEE SAILS. (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, February 2. The recently-appointed British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Sir Harry Batterbee, and Lady Batterbee sailed in the Rangitata for the Dominion.

CZECH DEFENCES. increased expenditure. (Received 1.30 p.m.) PRAGUE, February ,2. Czechoslovakia is budgeting a defence expenditure of £10,300,000, compared with ,£8,000,000 last .year.