SURPLUS FARM PRODUCTS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27375, 14 June 1954, Page 9

SURPLUS FARM PRODUCTS

U.S. Urged To Sell More Abroad (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 12. Members of the three agricultural missions, which toured Europe, Asia and Latin America recently, reported today that the United States must sell more of its farm products abroad if it wanted to avert agricultural depression. They also said that the United States must import more industrial goods so that foreign countries could earn dollars with which to buy American farm commodities. The which were sent abroad at the request of President Eisenhower, are now preparing a report for the Secretary of Agriculture (Mr Ezra Benson). A spokesman for each group said that the “jungle” of restrictions, both in the United States and abroad, were major barriers to expanded production and the export of farm products.

Foreign quotas, and monetary and other limitations, were .said to restrict purchases of American commodities. Likewise import controls and tariffs were held responsible for restrictions on United States purchases of foreign goods. Mr George Wilson, president of the California Farm Bureau and a member of the missioned Asia, said the key to future American prosperity—and the prosperity of the world—hinged on the United States ability to solve the farm surplus problem. The solution was to be found, he said, for broadening markets for agriculture’s war-expanded productive capacity.