Farm Production Changes Suggested

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29797, 13 April 1962, Page 10

Farm Production Changes Suggested

(New Zealand Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, April 12. New Zealand should consider outlets tor milk products other than butter, and a switch in some areas from lamb to beet production, the British High Commissioner (Sir Francis Cumming-Bruce) told the Associated Chambers of Commerce conference tonight. He said the imposition of quota controls on butter by Britain until March 31 next gave a breathing space of a year for New Zealand to consider the future with othei main suppliers and arrange what to do next.

Butter production throughout the world was soaring and Sir Francis CumingBruce asked what the traditional suppliers were going to do about it at the end of next March if no reversal of the glut situation was in sight

Some authorities had suggested New Zealand would be safer with a reasonably generous percentage of a con. trolled market than with the right to compete freely in an open one. Others saw the solution in more or less permanent action by the British Government to restrict exports from countries supporting their dairy farmers.

"But democratic governments cannot swim more than a certain distance against strong social and political currents.” he said

"And industrial countries wish to retain their farmlands in good heart, in the same way as primary producing countries wish to diversify their manufactures " Switch to Beef “We in Britain are still eating less beef than before the war and the Six ire also importers of beef. May there not be opportunities for New Zealand to take advantage of this demand in planning how to make the best use of your everincreasing output potentials?

“I know that in some parts of New Zealand it is difficult to switch even partially from lamb into beef New fencing may be necessary. the feed may not be suitable, the balance of stock may already have as many cattle as is healthy. But if. in some areas and on some farms, there are opportunities for switching, then I am sure New Zealand is capable of making the most of her chances." E.E.C. Problems

Sir Francis Cuming-Bruce said it would be a gross oversimplification to present the EEC question before Britain as an antithesis involving a choice between Europe or the Commonwealth.

Britain was part of Europe geographically, and for 1000 years had shared the common European culture.

The reduction of barriers between the British Isles and Europe was likely to be a help in cementing the whole Western world, provided that this was not at the expense of the vital interests of other Commonwealth countries •We believe that the necessary protection can . be worked out.” he said, "and we believe that closer British association with the continent of Europe could, and should, be accompanied by a parallel process of closer association of our Commonwealth partners with Europe too ’’