WHITE CLOVER EXPORTS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27644, 28 April 1955, Page 14

WHITE CLOVER EXPORTS

N.Z. REPLY TO U.S. CRITICISM

VALUE OF CROP TO DOMINION FARMERS fFrom Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, April 27. Praising the new strain ot white clover, Mr W. H. Gillespie (Government, Hurunui) said in the House of Representatives today that land in Canterbury that before the production of the seed was difficult, was now producing crops that were good earners for the farmer and the whole country. Replying to a question by Mr A. J. Davey (Government, Waimate), the Minister of Agriculture (Mr K. J. Holyoake) said that a reply had been made to criticism in the United States ot the performance of New Zealand white clover. The latest report from the United States Department of Agriculture was that imports of clover seed for the six months ended December 31 last amounted to 1.780,0001 b, at which 1,169,900 lb was ot New. Zealand origin. . Mr Gillespie said the American criticism was damaging to the export trade built up by New Zealand. The growing and harvesting of the clover played an important part in the country’s economy by earning sterling and dollars. JSome years ago, farmers produced white clover at a price of 6d to Is per lb, but now farmers in other parts of the world were prepared to pay 5s to 6s per lb. The efforts of the Department of Agriculture in producing a new strain of white clover and carrying out trials throughout New Zealand to show farmers what could be done and helping them to produce the seed were commended by Mr Gillespie. White clover seed was more or less a cash crop, he said. The criticism in the United States was unfair, as the strain was excellent one. That 95 per eent of the white clover seed sold on the Pacific coast of America was of New Zealand origin was the answer to the criticism, said T. Murray (Government StratClover seed exportation was a “baby* industry, said Mr J. J. Maher (Government Otakil. New Zealand could show the United States it could produce a seed second to none in the world. NAVAL DEFENCE REPLACEMENT OF N.Z. WARSHIPS MR MACDONALD REPLIES TO QUESTION (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 27. The replacement of units of the Royal New Zealand Navy was governed by three major considerations—the priorities imposed by New Zealand’s international commitments, the availability c* suitable replacements, and the Navy’s ability to accept and man new vessels, said the Minister of Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonald) In the House of Representatives today, replying to a question asked by Mr P. G. Connolly (Opposition, Dunedin Central). “An up-to-date cruiser is an urgent requirement if we are to meet our international obligations,’’ he said. “Investigation of the type of cruiser shows the Royalist to be ideally suited to the role of maintaining New Zeeland's contributions to the Commonateiy avaiiame, ana can be manned •nd mrintamed from the facilities “Frigates which may meet our requirements are being developed, but they are not immediately available. If, ■Hfda wrethe answer to the ■ubmarine menace, and it the Prime