A WARNING TO FARMERS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20550, 19 May 1932, Page 8

A WARNING TO FARMERS.

TARIFFS AND OTTAWA CONFERENCE. POSSIBLE REPRESENTATION OF DOMINION. (PRESS. ASSOCIATION TILZOSAM.j . WELLINGTON, May 18. Concerning the Ottawa Conference, a serious warning was issued from Cabinet circles to-day that New Zealand primary producers should not expect too much, and that no matter how successful the Conference is it cannot be regarded as a medium for ushering in suddenly a period of high prices and general prosperity. . For the past few weeks members of the Cabinet Ottawa Conference Committee have been hearing representations from various primary producing interests, which have advanced their views, and stated what they consider most necessary in any move to better their position on the world market, and especially in London. The opinion of tho Government is that much will remain to be done after Ottawa, and that those who look to overseas markets for the placing of their produco cannot afford to anticipate that by the mere fixation of reciprocal tariffs their exporting problems will be solved. With the conclusion of the emergency session, the Ottawa Conference has assumed a major place in the minds of members of the Ministry. Much of the Government's preparatory work for the Conference is being delayed through the late arrival of the agenda paper, the compilation of which is in the hands of the Canadian Government. The work of preparing data for the consideration of tariffs generally is well forward, but there are other aspects of Empire trading and monetary relations that cannot be thoroughly dealt with until the form of tho aigenda to be placed before the delegates has been made known. Added to this it is unlikely that the Prime Minister will announce the personnel of New Zealand's delegation until he knows what will be in the agenda paper. The general belief is that the Rfr. Hon. G. W. Forbes and the Minister for Finance, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, will be the Dominion's representatives, but so far no official information on the point has been given. Mr Forbes said to-day, however, that once he knows what will be discussed at Ottawa he will lose no time in announcing his intentions. Freer Exchange of Exports. Tho Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union to-night dealt with the business to be transacted by the New Zealand delegation 'at the Imperial Conference at Ottawa. The following report by a special committee was adopted:— "We recognise that tho Ottawa Conference is planned to strengthen the bonds of Empire by arranging for tho freer exchange of our several exports. It. is essential for the welfare of every section of the people of this Dominion that tho Conference assist in some way our export industries. We feel there are reasonable prospects that the British delegation will be prepared to assist these by putting a quota limit upon foreign competitors in conjunction with Empire preference. This will assist the economic recovery of British farmers as well _ as British Dominion exporters, and is in accord with the proposal made to the British fanners when visiting here in 1930." There was adversity of opinion regarding what recommendation the New Zealand delegation should offer in tariffs upon British manufactures, and eventually the following motion was carried by 11 votes to 10: "If it is necessary to provide compensating advantages to Great Britain which she may require in return, the Now Zealand delegation should be given a free hand to negotiate either, :n tariff reductions or such other plan as may bo considered desirable in the interest* of the development of the Empire." Imperial Sank of Currency. The following additional remit was approved:— "That it is essential the moet seritui • consideration should be given at Ottawa to the proposal to establish an Imperial bank of currency." It was decided that a deputation should wait upon the Prime Minister to-morrow to emphasise the importance of tlio Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates being in- . eluded in the New Zealand delegation in the interests of the primary producers: FRUITGROWERS' DELEGATE. (FB'ESS ASSOCIATION TXUCQSAIt.) WELLINGTON, May 18. Representatives of fruit-growing interests held a conference with the Prime Minister at Parliament House to-day, and questions affecting the indus l tr y We re discussed in the light of probable events at the Ottawa Conference. It.was announced-later"that Mr H. E. Napier, manager of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, would go to Ottawa with the Dominion's delegation. ®