EMPIRE PRODUCERS’ CONFERENCE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22436, 24 June 1938, Page 19

EMPIRE PRODUCERS’ CONFERENCE

LITTLE BENEFIT TO N.Z. PREDICTED RESTRICTION OP SUPPLIES TO BRITAIN FEARED CPBBSB ASSOCIATION TEIiXOBAK.) NEW PLYMOUTH, June 23. The opinion that no benefit to New Zealand would arise out of the decisions of the recent Empire Producers’ Conference at Sydney was expressed by Mr A. Morton, chairman, at the National Dairy Conference. He did not think it had done anything to save New Zealand from the danger of having a restriction placed on her exports to the British market. The most important question to New Zealand at the conference, said Mr Morton, was that of restriction. The farmers of Great Britain had been insistent in their demand for the restriction of imports for years, as they claimed that an uncontrolled flow of produce imports was endangering the position of the British farmer. Of course, he hoped the results of the conference would benefit New Zealand, but he had very grave doubts. The British farmer was still after restriction and the right to be first in his own market The farmers of Britain wanted restrictions on all countries within the Empire and to an even greater extent, on those outside the Empire. “New Zealand has never gained any benefit in endeavouring to work with Australia In the marketing of products overseas,” said Mr Morton. “The conference was an Australian} move, and while the decisions may be good for Australia. I do not think they will be so good for New Zealand.”