WOOL MARKETING SCHEME

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26151, 29 June 1950, Page 3

WOOL MARKETING SCHEME

NEGOTIATIONS STILL PROCEEDING

BRITISH DECISION NOT YET MADE (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. June 28. The British Government had not definitely rejected proposals for ,a Dominion wool marketing scheme to succeed the Joint Organisation, Mr W. Horrobin, Deputy-chairman of the New Zealand Wool Board, said to-day, when he addressed the annual conference of the meat and wool section of Federated Farmers. Mr Horrobin’s address to the conference was taken in committee, but he later made a statement to the press. The British Government agreed jointly with the Dominions to carry on the present Joint Organisation until July next year, Mr Horrobin said. There had been opposition to the new scheme from the outset, from sections of the trade in Britain. Among the opponents of the new scheme, Mr Horrobin named the British Wool Federation.

It would be possible for the Dominions to have a scheme without the United Kingdom, Mr Horrobin said, but every endeavour was being made to have an Empire scheme. At present. New Zealand was awaiting advice from Australia and South Africa about their decisions on the proposals outlined bv the New Zealand Minister of Agriculture (Mr K. J. Holyoake) early this month.

Mr Horrobin emphasised the desirability of exploring every avenue for a joint Empire scheme. He said the industry was being kept fully informed as information came to hand. Negotiations were going on all the time. Subject to the approval of the Australian and South African Governments, the next step would be to seek approval of the scheme from the International Trade Organisation. Any scheme would of necessity have to withstand the buying up of up to 50 per cent, of the wool clip during any severe depression. Mr Horrobin added that New Zealand had more than adequate funds to meet its share in any future wool organisation.