DAIRY PRODUCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 40, 16 August 1937, Page 6

DAIRY PRODUCE

POLICY OF BRITAIN

NOT YET DETERMINED

| "The United. Kingdom has not yet decided ;what its policy is to be in regard to' dairy produce," said Mr. Nash. "The prospect had been that there would be a levy put on Dominion butter arid cheese imported' into the United 'Kingdom in order to give more assistance to the home farmers. New Zealand's policy, one which I have consistently advocated, is definite opposition to any form of levy. On the positive side we have advocated regulated expansion until the needs of United Kingdom consumers are met. No other policy can be advocated when there are resources available to meet, the needs of those who are at present going without. I have also pointed out that any levy on Empire dairy produce would be discriminatory as regards New Zealand, for dairy produce normally amounts to 40 per cent, of our exports. No other Dominion has a percentage even ■ one-quarter of this. I feel that the United Kingdom recognises the justice of this statement.

"Recently the United Kingdom announced that it was giving assistance to its home farmers in certain circumstances, but this was not to be by means of a levy on imports of Empire dairy produce. However, until the' United Kingdom decides as to it's dairy produce import policy, it will not be possible to decide New Zealand's position. In the meantime the situation is satisfactory." A special point in connection with dairy produce, said Mr. Nash, was that the tentative agreement with Germany provided that a considerable portion of the credits accruing to Germany from New Zealand purchases of German goods was to be utilised in the purchase of butter. - ■ '