‘Australian Dairy Farmers Protected’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30845, 2 September 1965, Page 3

‘Australian Dairy Farmers Protected’

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

CANBERRA, September 1.

The Tasman Free Trade Agreement would protect, not threaten, the Australian dairy industry, the Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr J. McEwen) said today.

He said the agreement would limit, for the first time, the quantities of cheddar cheese and pork imported from New Zealand. ,

The treaty limits the quantity of cheddar cheese imported to 1000 tons annually, to be reached in five years.

Previously the only limit was a duty of 6d per lb. “Contrary to representing a Threat to the dairy industry, this represents a protection to the Australian dairy industry,” he said. Mr McEwen was replying in the House of Representatives to Mr A. A. Buchanan (Lib., Victoria), who said the Australian Dairy Farmers’ Association had made a strong protest about the entry even of limited quantities of cheese. The association considered that the agreement, signed yesterday, was the “thin end

of the wedge” and ultimately would affect dairy farmers’ living standards. Mr Buchanan asked Mr McEwen to consider the association’s request that the agreement be re-negotlated to exclude cheese. Mr McEwen said that on Monday he had met a deputation from the association and other bodies. The deputation had protested about the possibility of serious harm to the dairy industry and pig producers. “There is no question of the items being the thin end of the wedge,” Mr McEwen said. Mr McEwen said New Zealand pig meat, now subject to a duty of 3d per lb, would be limited to 3000 tons a

year, increasing by 5 per cent annually. Later Mr McEwen said Parliament would be able to discuss the agreement when his original statement, made last week, was debated. He told Mr G. W. A. Duthie (A.L.P., Tasmania) that the agreement would not come before Parliament for ratification.

Swabs For Quins.— A year's supply of cotton swabs—46Bo —has been sent to the Lawson quins by an English company. A gift pack was sent by air with a letter wishing the family well. It was delivered by the Auckland agents of the firm.—(P.A.)