Farmer Alleges Britain’s Trade Attitude “Lopsided”

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28001, 22 June 1956, Page 6

Farmer Alleges Britain’s Trade Attitude “Lopsided”

(New Zealand Press Association)

INVERCARGILL. June 21. England’s attitude on the importation of New Zealand fescue and the exportation of its steel to the Dominion was said to be “absolutely lopsided’’ by Mr F. M. Henderson (Southland), at the annua* conference of the Dominion agriculture section o' Federated Farmers of New Zealand, held in Invercargill. Mr Henderson said it appeared England was “cracking the v hip.” It was asking for a duty to be put on the importation of foreign steel into NewZealand. but was not giving preference to the Dominion on the chewings fescue “front." “England does not care two hoots

for New Zealand fescue, but is concerned about its steel.” said Mr Henderson. He added that it was “scandalous” that, on one hand, England imported a cheaper article from the United States and then insisted that New Zealand place duties on overseas steel so that British steel could gain preference in the Dominion.

A letter from the office o f the United Kingdom Trade Commissioner on the subject was before the meeting. It stated that the United Kingdom generally bought some seed each year from a hard-currency country. It was decided to await a replv on fescue importations from that office before dealing with the matter at the next council meeting.