HIGH TARIFFS

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LIV, Issue 22, 21 March 1933, Page 8

HIGH TARIFFS

EXCLUDING BRITISH GOODS,

CRITICISM BY MR. W. GOODFELLOW.

The Government's delay in reduc- i ing duties on British goods was| strongly criticised at a recent meeting of the directors of tha New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Co., according to a statement by Mr W. Goodfellow, advisory director to the company. He said the dairy industry was alarmed at the export restriction proposals after New Zealand, by the Ottawa Agreement, had been given a free market for three years. The drastic amendment now proposed was, in the directors' opinion, due to the fact that New Zealand had not only failed to carry out its obligations under the Ottawa Agreement, but also, by not promptly reducing duties' to neutralise the effect of the recent exchanga increase had definitely defied the spirit, if not the letter, of the Ottawa Agreement.

He contrasted the action of Denmark, which, after following New Zealand by raising its exchange, gave the United Kingdom a free market for manufactured goods. "One might well ask," said Mr Goodfellow, "what is the reason for the delay on the part of New Zealand in carrying out its undertakings. We have a fair idea that the powerful organisation of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Association has used its influence in Wellingotn to some purpose. Judging by the unfair and almost arrogant statement recently published by this association it feels very safe in its determination to exploit the producer and the community in general, even to the extent of causing a break with our only worthwhile customer."

Mr Goodfellow added that there was absolutely no justification for any restriction of sxports. As soon as the European war debt question was settled satisfactorily, Continental consumption would increase tremendously. That would make room for Empire trade expansion in the United Kingdom and at moi'e payable prices. In the meantime the rise of 10 per cent, achieved by export restriction would be of no use to New Zealand if thousands of tons of produce were shut out of the British market.