MOVE MADE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 39, 16 February 1933, Page 12

MOVE MADE

INFORMAL CONFERENCES

MR. FORBES'S VIEWS^

The information that informal discussions are at present taking place between the Imperial authorities and the Governments of the various Dominions ou the best means of overcoming the position which has arisen through overimportation of dairy produce into the United Kingdom was contained in a statement made this afternoon by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes), who expressed confidence as to the ultimate outcome of the negotiations. Mr. Forbes said that no official intimation had been received from the British Government as to details of oversupply, but through the High Commissioner (Sir Thomas Wilford) had come au invitation to make suggestions as to the best method- by which the position as disclosed in the Press cablegram could be met. lOn receipt- of this advice, tbe Government had' referred the question to tho Dairy Export Board, which was to meet tomorrow to consider the situation. The board would make its recommendations to tho Government, which, after consideration, .would forward its

suggestions to the High Commissioner for transmission to the British Ministry. "Will you suggest in the event of any scheme of restriction being adopted that tho Danish exports should come under it?" Mr. Forbes was asked.

RESTRICTION'S ON FOREIGN SUPPLIES.

The Prime Minister said that any restrictions must apply to the foreign as well as to Dominion supplies.

"Our attitude lias always been," he added, "that when there is a restriction foreign products must come under it. If that position arises, the New Zealand Government will undoubtedly press its view very strongly."

Reminded of the tariff concession New Zealand dairy produce was given under tho Ottawa Agreement, Mr. Forbes said that it had to.be recognised that with that, as with other agreements, the advantage could be used for bargaining purposes with other countries with whom it was desired to make satisfactory arrangements. Mr. Forbes said that, without taking an alarmist view, anything that tended to imperil New Zealand's overseas markets, or prevent the fullest advantage being taken of them must be a matter.of concern to the Dominion. At the same time, the Government was alive to the position of the private producer. "I feel quite confident," he added, "we will be able to arrive at a satisfactory arrangement in connection with the present development. The present consultations are of purely an informal nature, and no definite announcement can be made until after receipt by the Government of the views of the Dairy Export Board. The first definite statement will probably come from the British Government after the attitude of the various Dominions has been ascertained."