TRADE WITH BRITAIN

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28491, 22 January 1958, Page 11

TRADE WITH BRITAIN

Press Comment On N.Z. Attitude (Rec. 11 pan.) LONDON, Jan. 21. The “Daily Express” today urged the British Prime Minister, Mr Macmillan, to assure New Zealand that Britain would purchase more of her products in the future. In a leading article, it said: “As Mr Macmillan arrives in New Zealand, he faces the most testing time of his Commonwealth tour. “For in New Zealand he confronts an anxious nation, a people that feels let down by Britain.” “See how successive Governments have treated it,” the “Daily Express” said. “In time of war • and scarcity, New Zealand never stinted supplies of meat and farm produce to Britain. Then, when times got better, it hoped to share the Mother Country’s prosperity. “But the New Zealanders were disappointed. Subsidised meat from the Argentine was allowed to flood British markets. Dairy farmers on the Continent were encouraged at the expense of New Zealand products.” “The result? New Zealand can no longer afford ‘to buy goods from Britain. “So Britain’s short-sighted policy has not only threatened New Zealand's economy, but is hitting at her own export trade. “Now the Government flirts with the European Free Trade area, which spells doom to the Empire producers. “It will be Mr Macmillan’s duty to reassure the New Zealanders. Let him pledge Britain to aid the Empire farmers, to purchase produce from the New Zealanders, instead of from the Argentines.”