AMERICAN DUTIES ON BUTTER

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 143, 20 June 1925, Page 11

AMERICAN DUTIES ON BUTTER

A correspondent of the New York j "Journal of Commerce"., directs . attention to the proposal'to increase the dirty on -.butter imported ■■ into "■ the United States because of th,e lower cost of production in the principal competing country,': which is- Denmark/ The present, duty is 3 cents a pound, but dairvin" interests m America want the .impost increased to 20 cents, or :10d a pound. Although -specially directed against Denmark, New-Zealand "and Australia, may take it for granted that competitionfrom their-producers;is not overlooked. AVlule shipments of-butter from Austra-lia'"-llaVe "Been ufiirnjiortant, New "Zealand is better situated to trade with theUnited States, and ;were there indications of/substantial development in the business between.,the two countries'action would be taken to check it, and no doubt this- would, be "attended with success. It is ■pointed out. that Denmark, is practically a large dairy farm, and that it sells the major portion of its produce to Great .jßritaifa.ajidlihe. Continent;:.and "that of 19,000.0001b' of butter imported into the •United States last -year only 7,192 4141b .was of Danish ."origin. For the same year tiio United States, shipped to Denmark ■4,928,5501b- of oleo oil'-and neutral 1.----159,0031b of Jard. 1,623,0001b of bacon, I.77;C<U barrels, of, flour, .and 260,372-4071b of cotton-seed cake. Tliig would 'mean that an increased duty would favour one section of industry to the detriment of others., and would -perhaps operate adversely'in the export trade -wil-li Denmark. . . , . . ..

The policy ■of the United Stater, for long has been one of selfishness. While it ships.-a large volume-of-goods to New Aoaland and Australia., it practically confines its import trade from each couulrv to necessary raw materials. These -who believe that general trade with the United States may develop ' ihi6. substantial proportions will probably be disappointed, for it desires to .eliminate competition but . to.-have, ready;''!irigre"ss j ato markets abroad.. •'-.. ■'. ■"/•."■ '"