RESTRICTIONS OF IMPORTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 121, 15 February 1935, Page 10

RESTRICTIONS OF IMPORTS

In urging that there must be give and take on both sides of the restriction of meat imports question, The Times makes a statement which calls for some remark. “It must not be forgotten,’ it says, “that the Dominion farmer in reality is not concerned so much as to the quantity of produce he is able to sell as the total myrnent for it. He may even gain from a restriction of imports if that restriction has sufficient effect upon prices. New Zealand producers, with mutton imports restricted,- sold 9000 tons less in 1934 than in 1933, but received over £1,000,000 more for a smaller quantity.” 'The logical conclusion to be drawn from this, and which is applicable generally to all of our export products at present affected by the fall in prices, is- that it' would pay this country to curtail the production of its primary industries. On The Times’s argument it would be good business to have fewer dairy farmers, meat producers, wool growers, and so on, in order that those who remained, in'these industries would be assured of remunerative markets. This reasoning misses the vital point of the question which is disturbing the public mind in New Zealand. The development and prosperity of this country is primarily dependent on the expansion of its primary industries. Its secondary industries cater largely for the domestic market, not for overseas. To think'of New Zealand, therefore, is to think in terms of its rural industries. The country’s progress is measured by their expansion. If their export products are to be restricted in British markets this expansion can only be maintained and stimulated by looking for new markets. It cannot seriously be suggested that rural lands should be allowed to go out of production because the British Government by artificial means has curtailed our exports. Whatever degree of restriction may be finally decided upon, it must be clear that for our future expansion new markets will be necessary. (The Australian Government, it is being reported, has just appointed trade commissioners for various centres in the East, including China and Japan. All that this country has done in the" meantime is to toy jvith the idea.