DAIRY PRODUCE BAN BY U.S.

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27593, 25 February 1955, Page 10

DAIRY PRODUCE BAN BY U.S.

G.A.T.T. WAIVER OPPOSED

FEDERATED FARMERS’ RESOLUTIONS

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 24. New Zealand should in no circumstances agree to the request by the United States for a waiver under G.A.T.T. by which the American embargo on the importation of dairy produce would be formally approved, said the Dominion council of Federated Farmers in a resolution passed at its quarterly meeting. The council decided to advise the Government of its views, and to ask it to consider that New Zealand’s agreement to the proposed waiver might weaken the Dominion’s position seriously should Britain ever seek a similar sanction under G.A.T.T. The council also decided to ask the Government to draw up a scheme for the orderly development of the fertiliser manufacturing industry. The council expressed the opinion that the authorities responsible for negotiating shipping freight rates for primary produce should negotiate together with the shipping lines, instead of singly as at present. The setting-up, of an independent judicial authority to investigate unfair business practices was also recommended by the council. It decided to suggest to the Government that the powers vested in the Minister of Industries and Commerce under the Board of .Trade Act, 1919, to investigate and publicise any restrictive and unfair business practices in New Zealand should be widened and vested in an independent judicial authority, as was the case in Britain and the United States