RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 70, 20 September 1933, Page 10

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS

MR. BAXTER'S PLEAS

OPPOSED

"Do not let Mr. Baxter persuade you by sentiment," advised Mr. Eliot Davis, of Auckland, when speaking to a large meeting of farmers in Palmerston North yesterday, states the "Manawatu Evening Standard." His remarks were made following a question as to his views on the pleas likely to be put forward by Mr. Thomas Baxter, representing the National Farmers' Union of Great Britain, on his visit to New Zealand this week —pleas that New Zealand should abandon cheese export to England and concentrate on butter. Mr. Davis said that England had made an agreement with Denmark that the latter was to take from Britain 80 per cent, of the coal and coke she used, besides many other imports, including packing parchment, which was a big item; and in return England gave a guarantee that, in regard to Denmark's exports of bacon, ham, butter, and eggs, she would not impose duties on butter and hams not increase the duties on the others mentioned for three years. That agreement had been made after the quota had been imposed on Danish imports. England did not make any stipulation about the stability of exchange with Denmark. That country was '!set" for the next three years. England had to buy from Denmark, because although there were other markets they were too restricted to supply what was required. England was in the hands of Denmark, Mr. Davis contended. Mr. Baxter had said that production in New Zealand was prejudicing the British farmer. Why did they not take that view in regard to the Danish farmer1? The action of England had been distinctly and eminently prejudicial to one of her children. The- farmers of New Zealand should not let Mr. Baxter persuade them with such arguments. Tho whole matter was very wrong, in every shape and form. Continuing, Mr. Davis said that he would liko them to ask Mr. Baxter why he did not talk about his pleas to New Zealand before the agreement was made with Denmark. When that agreement was made England had tied herself to il foreign country.