EXPORT TRADE PROSPECTS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22367, 2 April 1938, Page 15

EXPORT TRADE PROSPECTS

EMPIRE COMMODITY

COUNCILS

PROPOSAL COMMENDED BY

“ THE TIMES”

(SSITISB OFFICIAL WIRELESS.)

(Received April 1, 8 p.m.)

AUGBY, March 31

Commenting on the Empire food producers’ conference in Sydney, “The Times,” in a leading article, says: “The, farmer’s difficulty has been that while he can raise foodstuffs abundantly the only way of disposing of them has been to throw them on easily glutted markets, since those who use _hem most cannot afford them, except at prices unremunerative to the producer. “Further, the restriction of production,, affords only a temporary solution. Great interest is accordingly being taken by the conference in the suggestion made on behalf of thi United Kingdom delegation for inaugurating a system of Empire commodity councils on the lines of tin Empire Beef Council to collaborate with producers' representatives from the principal supplying countries.

“One advantage of such councils is that they would enable producers to familiarise themselves with conditions both in importing and competing exporting countries. Their success would finally depend on the extent to which they are able to create stable markets, rather by facilitating consumption than by restricting supply.”

BRITISH PROPOSAL

REJECTED

ATTITUDE OF NEW ZEALAND DELEGATION

(Received April 2, 12.30 a.m.)

SYDNEY, April 1

The trend of the discussion at the Empire Producers’ Conference today again indicated the possibility that the British delegation’s proposals for producer control in the regulation of exports reaching the United Kingdom market might form the basis of a compromise. Mr Cleveland Fyfe, one of the British delegates, emphasised that with the rejection of the British proposals there would be no alternative constructive proposal, and that under the British plan there was no intention of imposing levies. Mr T. Brash (New Zealand) said he refused to believe that the British Government and the British people were asking them to accept a position under which they were to be led to restrictions or the imposition of levies.

Messrs A. J. Murdoch and H. Millsop (New Zealand) were among the speakers. Mr Millsop said the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, 38 years ago had fought for the freest trade with the United King'dom. He added that if restrictions were imposed, then it must be done by the British Government. The British delegation’s proposals, in their present form, could not be accepted by the New Zealand representatives. The conference adjourned.

ATTITUDE OF THE

PRODUCERS

MR W. W. MULHOLLAND’S VIEWS

“RESTRICTIONS WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED”

(Received April 2, 1 a.m.)

SYDNEY, April 1

Mr W, W. Mulholland, one of the New Zealand delegates, in an interview to-night with the New Zealand Press Association, said Sir Reginald Dorman Smith’s proposals, cabled yesterda-, seemed to most Dominion delegates to embody and envisage greater restrictions on Dominion produce. The British claimed that their object was to get the Empire producers to come together and form an organisation or organisations which would regulate or control the marketing of their produce. The delegates did not doubt the honesty of purpose of their British colleagues, but the resolution was clearly open to the interpretation that the producers themselves had invited or had approved quantitative restriction.

Mr Mulholland added that while the resolution or suggested • amendments had not been put to the conference, neither had they been withdrawn. The debate had ended with an agreement that the leaders of the various delegations would come together in committee to see whether it was possible to reconcile a” their views, and then evolve satisfactory or positive action. Mr Mulholland expressed the opinion that there was no need for anj producer to be unduly alarmed as a result of what was happening at the conference. The delegates h-id agreed that restrictions were out of the question, and, so far as New Zealand was concerned, the producers would not allpw themselves to be fettered.

Such ol the cable newt in this issue Is so neaded his appeared In 'The rimes, and is sent to this papei by special permission It should be understood 'hat the opinions are not those Of ‘Th» rimes" unless expressly stated to be so

By special arrangement Keuter's Worm service In addition to othei . special -ources of information, la used in the compilation of the overseas Intelligence therein in Australia and New Zealand are published In this issue,- end all rights reserved. >4