PRODUCE GROWERS

Franklin Times, Volume XX, Issue 80, 14 July 1930, Page 5

PRODUCE GROWERS

| RECIPROCITY ADVOCATED.

"BETWEEN EXPORTING COUNTRIES. “If there was a reciprocal agreement between the three countries (Australia, Canada and New Zealand), then one country could get onions and potatoes from the other when prices were high.” This statement was made by Mr P. ; A. Miller, the convenor of a well-ar- ( tended meeting of produce growers held in the Church of Christ, Puke- | kohe Hill, on Friday evening, when explaining the object of the meeting, j Mr G. T. Parvin, who was voted to the chair, said it was desirable that the three sister countries should ar- i rive at some reciprocity in regard to , the exportation and importation of produce. There were times, he said,

when one of the countries could, owing to the production being low, welcome the importation of produce from one of the others when they were over produced. If present difficulties could be overcome, the exportation of produce to Canada and Australia would be of advantage to not only Pukekohe growers but southern producers. At a meeting held last week, Mr Parvin | said the over importation of onions I from overseas was discussed by grow - I ers. It had been found that onions j had been imported from America, Australia and Japan and distributed nil I over the Dominion, the result being that prices for local onions had fallen j considerably. Owing to the over imI portation merchants had to quit supplies on hand.

“Keep Money in New Zealand.”

“We don’t want our money going over to Australia, America and Japan when it can be circulated in this country.” said Mr Parvin. The views of Ihe meeting referred to had been placed before Mr J. N. Massey. ALP. Growers from Ashburton. Unit Valley and Pukekohe were going to meet in Wellington next week and would place Iheir views before the Minister of Customs.

A proposed trade agreement, vide New Zealand Gazette No. 40. July. ID3O. was read. The extract stated that it was notified for public information that I he. New Zealand Government had had a preliminary conversation with the Minister for Trade and Customs in Ihe Commonweallh. with the view of mollifying the present Reciprocal Tariff Agreement between Australia and New Zealand, so that it might he satisfactory to both. It was possible also that negotiations would lake place in Urn near future between IV|e Canadian and New Zealand Govcrnmenis with the object of arranging a Commonweallh agreement be I ween the two Dominions. To enable flie Government l.o*rtoril with Ibese matters in the best interests of the Dominion it was desired that it. should be in possession, ol any information which might assist it. in achieving the objeeis in view. The Minister of Customs therefore wished to afford lo I hose interested an opportunity of supplying information

regarding; — , r| \ Any goods or any classes ot goods upon which or will! rasperi to which if was considered. Ma). Thai duties in Canada or Australia on New Zealand goods be modified. or /))M Thai dulies in New Zealand on Canadian or Australian goods he modified. or '(•,). That any action al present taken by way of restrictions on the imporlalien or exportation of goods ir oilier wise should be aliened, nt^ :'2). Any other mailers affecting ♦ rude’ lad ween Canada and New Zealand or between Australia and New Zealand which would be of assistance in dealing with the questions.

Australian “Bluff.”

Air Aliller said me duty on umun» | being imported from Canada was El aj ton plus a primage duly of one per ceui. There was no duty on New Zealand onions entering Canada. The duty on New Zealand potatoes being imported into Australia was £2 10s and on onions £1 a ton In addition, the Commonwealth imposed \cr> stringent regulations in regard to New Zealand produce: in fact, its ,attitude

in regard to scab was pure I v niii <n “bluff ” Last year supplies of potatoes in Australia were very short, the ruling price being from ly* 1o £qo Mi* Aliller stated that anything done, should be of a friendly nature: drastic steps might have, a boomerang effect. . , . “One thing we must not overlook is the fact that these countries can produce at low rates,” said Mr Miller. “If we could fix some price it would net as a safeguard to the grower.’ Mr G Galhercole asked whether it would not be possible to make the

tariff automatic. When prices were below a certain figure importation could be slopped. ~ Atr AT. Cronin said what was i* quired was a binding agreement- between both growers and merchants Mr Aliller stated that he considered the Customs Department would attend to that. Such would also be. the business of the Trade Commissioner for ci\ch country. . . The present glut of onions was dm to over production and an abnormal voar, stated the, chairman. Air \ Duke claimed that importation should not be allowed in that case. He considered the merchants were the whole trouble. Mr J T Balle moved, Mr Gat her cole seconding, “that there be no importation of onions into New Zealand under a set amount, to be fixed later. An amendment was moved by Mr Miller, “that, a reciprocal duty or i.l a ton on onions and potatoes entering each of the. three countries (Australia, Canada and New Zealand), and 11m Afinister of Customs be empowered to prohibit the importation into the abo\e countries when the ruling prices are below £l2 a ton, and no imported onions or potatoes be sold at less than £l2. n In reply to a question, Air Aliller said from September to November was the only time imported onions were required in New Zealand.

Australian Position Explained. It was stated that February, March, ■ April and May were the “off months” I in Canada. • i Mr Miller pointed out that Australia [ could not supply potatoes during the j spring when Ihe New" Zealand early 1 ones were due.

j Mr. C. I-I. Mason said it was not I practicable lo stipulate.a price, by reason of the fact that there might be a 1 decline in local prices when consignments were en route to New Zealand. Several others concurred, i During further discussion it was j j stated that the merchants doubled i their former orders for imported onions this season: each was unawarel , what, the other was doing. I If the ruling price for onions in I Canada was £6 a ton, the freight would j ! be £4, duty £! and primage* approxi- I malady £l, the landed cosl then being J £l2. ! In answer to Mr J. Russell. Mr Mil- I let* said no duty existed An Canada at I the present time, but under the pro- I posal it was being asked lo impose I one. Air Ballo contended that il should not be permissible lo import onions [ when there was a glut here. Im- I portation should be limited" lo certain I months.

The chairman stated that if importation could be prohibited when local produce was below £l2 a ton in price, if would he protective enough. The prices at which imported' onions and potatoes were purchased would have lo he declared to the Customs Department, and any person making a false declaration would be severely penalised. The position of Australian growers was explained by Mr Miller, who said bo bad experience in the Commonweallh. One good season was experienced in about every three, and when potatoes were ready to be dug a shipload of South Island tubers would arrive lo be sold at from £6 to £B, thus ruining the growers’ prospects of obtaining a good price. The growers in each of the three countries had to be protected. The motion was withdrawn, and the amendment, which became the motion, was carried unanimously. Mr Parvin was authorised to place the views of the growers before the meeting in Wellington, and to wait on the Minister of Customs. A further motion was carried urging that all bags for produce be imported free of duty. Votes of thanks were accorded lo Messrs A tiller and Parvin.