FORCED TO RETALIATE

Evening Star, Issue 23113, 12 November 1938, Page 11

FORCED TO RETALIATE

NEW ZEALAND'S POSITION CITRUS FRUITS AND POTATO EMBARGOES [Per Dotted Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Nov. 11. The cabled remarks of Sir Frederick Stewart, former Federal Minister of Commerce, concerning the respective embargos on New Zealand potatoes and Australian citrus fruits received strong endorsement from Mr R. Bruce Walker, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, when he arrived at Wellington by the Awatea to-day. “ I heartily endorse what Sir Frederick says,” Mr Walker declared, and deplore the attitude of the Lyons-Page Commonwealth Government toward imports of New Zealand potatoes and exports of Australian citrus fruits. The embargo has forced the New Zealand Government to retaliate, although it is pleasing to know that the embargo on citrus fruits has been partially lifted. “Nothing can convince me that the fear of the introduction of a potato disease called corky scab into the Commonwealth is at the bottom of. thq position. That argument is based upon political expediency with the object of conserving the Australian market for the Tasmanian potato grower. New Zealand can not be blamed for retaliatory measures. On behalf of my constituency of Hawkesbury, which is probably the largest citrus fruit growing district in New South Wales, I have made many protests to the Prime Minister from time to time. I sincerely hope the time is not far distant when wiser counsels shall prevail in the Commonwealth Government so that both these restrictions may be entirely wiped out and freer trade relationship brought about between the two countries to the betterment of the primary, industries concerned. “If the embargo on New Zealand potatoes were lifted, Victoria and New South Wales would not be affected one iota. Further, householders of Sydney have protested against the price they are having to pay for potatoes. There is a real outcry, and, after the recent meeting in Sydney of the associations representing the consumers, the United Australia Party was requested to bring pressure to bear on the Government to have the embargo lifted. That should help to destroy the impression that the Australian people are behind the Government in this matter. “The whole reason for the Australian embargo is that those responsible for it are afraid to offend the potato-growing interests. The fault is wjth Australia, and it is difficult to see any reason for the continuance of an embargo. Australia made the first move and New Zealand is not to blame at all. It is up to Australia to make the first move now towards greater goodwill between the two countries and the advantage of the primary producers of each.”