FEAR OF BOYCOTT

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 152, 24 March 1938, Page 12

FEAR OF BOYCOTT

New Zealand Produce In England FARMERS’ DISCUSSION Retaliation For Higher Customs Duty By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, March 23. General alarm at the possibility of a serious English boycott of New Zealand butter and lamb in retaliation for the recent increase in the tariff on English footwear was little allayed by the expressed conviction of two members that the boycott threat was only a bluff when the question of the Customs adjustment was brought before a meeting of the North Canterbury district executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union by a Christchurch firm of boot importers. Members showed concern at a cabled report that boot operatives at Rossendale Valley, England, were contemplating a boycott and at the likelihood that it would spread, and decided to urge the Dominion executive to take the matter in hand.

That the imposition of the new Customs duty of 3/- a pair on English footwear meant an embargo on approximately three-quarters of the present footwear imports from Great Britain was mentioned in a letter received from Mr. 8. S. Mander, secretary of Thomas Perry and Son, Ltd., boot and shoe indentors and warehousemen, Christchurch. After quoting a cable message which appeared in the Press of March 8, which stated the intention of 8001) operatives in Rossendale Valley to place an embargo on New Zealand produce unless the duty was raised, Mr. Mander added that his firm understood that similar action was being taken in Leicester, Leeds, Norwich, Northampton and London.

"Well, gentlemen, that's the position,” said the chairman, Mr. 1. L. M. Coop, when the letter had been read. “If we go and block English goods we're going to be in trouble.”

' Members recalled a cablegram seut by the Dominion president, of the union, Mr. W. W. Mulholland, to boot manufacturers in England explaining that the tariff increases were opposed by New Zealand farmers and that they and not the manufacturers would be harmed by retaliation, and members expressed approval of' his action. “When 4 read of the action the boot operatives had taken I was yery sore,” said Mr. R. G. Bishop, who added that if the matter had not arisen in the normal course of the meeting he would have introduced it himself. The Farmers’ Union was, as was well known, in favour of free trade. Ministers of the Crown, including the Hon. W. Nash, Minister of Customs, had impressed on the people the importance of buying British goods and fastering Empire trade so that New Zealand might secure fair treatment for her produce on the Home markets. “But,” he said, "this almost impossible duty practically prohibits us from trading with Home in footwear.” It was time for the union to take a firm stand Need For Stand Urged

"As it had been said for years, it would pay the Government to pension off boot operatives in New Zealand and remove the tariff on footwear,” continued Mr. Bishop. “If we do not take a stand our primary industries will lie in jeopardy. This country is based on its primary industry. Secondary industry won’t get us anywhere.” “It’s very, very serious, because these people in England will boycott our produce and buy from Australia and the Argentine, where farming costs ace cheaper,” remarked Mr. Coop. Mr. J. D. Hall: That’s sheer bluff. They can’t do without our meat. Mr. G. C. Warren: That’s humorous. You're writing for "Punch.” Practicability of Boycott Questioned. The practicability of a boycott was questioned by Mr. J'. W. D. Hall. “All our butter and meat isn’t eaten by manufacturers,” he said. “I don’t think any boycott along these lines will ever be put into effect. As Mr. Mullholland pointed out, they would be harming New Zealand farmers, not our manufacturers.” The English farmer was doing all ha could now to have an embargo placed on New Zealand produce, said Mr. Bishop, and if ho joined forces with the boot operatives it might be dangerous. He moved "That this executive views with alarm the duty, amounting almost to an embargo, on English footwear, and asks the Dominion executive to take action in the matter.” Saying that any other action should lie taken through tile Dominion executive, Mr. S. G. Farquhar seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.