PRODUCE QUOTAS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 August 1933, Page 2

PRODUCE QUOTAS

“IMPERATIVE NECESSITY.” [per press association.] WELLINGTON, August 14. Mr. Forbes has cabled to Mr. Coates the text of the letters passing between himself and Mr. Gates (the representative of the British National Farmers’ Union, which has a delegate, Mr. Baxter, now on his way to New Zealand to negotiate with Dominion farmers on the matter of the quotas). Mr. Gates, in a letter to Mr. Forbes, asked him to impress on the New Zealand Government that there was a call for immediate action in the common interests of the producers of both the Dominion and the United Kingdom. Definite action to regulate the supplies coming on the market was an urgent and imperative necessity. He did not believe it to be good policy to postpone the action until the British farmers could visit New Zealand to discuss the common problems. The British National Farmers’ Union fully recognise the value that would attach to a round table discussion, and it was prepared immediately to send Mr. Thomas Baxter to take part in such conversations.

Mr. Forbes, replying to Mr. Gates, pointed out that to give effect to the suggested discussions would not cause any further delay than at present, as a final settlement should still require to remain over until he and his party returned to the Dominion and consulted the New Zealand farmers, whose co-operation was essential in any decision reached. In fact, he was firmly convinced that consideration of the matter would be facilitated by having a representative of the United Kingdom farmers on the spot. He added that Mr. Baxter would be cordially welcomed by the New Zealand farmers, as well as by the Government.

On the receipt of the above message, Mr. Coates cabled to England welcoming Mr. Baxter on behalf of the Government, including a message of welcome from Mr. Polson, and intimating that the people of New Zealand would be glad to know at first hand of the problems facing the English farmers.

BEEF SHIPMENTS. WELLINGTON, August 14. The British Government, it. is understood, has communicated through the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board with the shippers of meat in New Zealand, asking if they would be prepared to withhold all further shipments of chilled beef until the end of November. The request has been made, it is believed, on account of the congestion of the beef market at Home, and in accordance with the British Government’s policy of protecting its own farmers. The question is still under negotiation between the shippers and the Board in New Zealand, and the authorities in London, and it is believed that no decision has so far been reached.

Mr. Coates declined to discuss the British proposal which, he said, was a matter for the Meat Board.

New Zealand’s export of frozen and chilled beef to the United Kingdom amounted last year to 182,143 quarters. Taking the 1931-32 season, from November, 1931, until the end of October, 1932, the export was 203,103 quarters. The principal exporting months in that season were August (38,697 quarters), June (31,476), July (29,085), May (27,778) and October (26,397). The export trade this season has been very much heavier, the total to the end of June being only 218,677 quarters. In March, April, May and June, the monthly export exceeded 40,000 quarters, and in April and May it reached nearly 50,000 quarters. According to the Ottawa agreement, based on a, letter written by Mr. Coates to Mr. Stanley Baldwin, New Zealand’s estimated export of frozen beef for 1932-33 was 22,000 tons, representing a maximum increase of 10 per cent, over the previous season’s total.

DESIRE TO- CO-OPERATE. (Recd. August 15, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, August. 14. “The Times,” in a leader, in connection with Major Elliot’s assurance that the Government is undertaking to limit competition in imports of dairy produce, in order to safeguard the proposed national milk pool, says:—■ The correspondence between Mr Forbes and the National Farmers’ Union shows a frank discussion between English and New Zealand farmers is the most hopeful line to follow. Mr Baxter’s acceptance of the New Zealand invitation, when his services will be missed by Britain, proves that British farmers desire to cooperate as closely as possible with the Dominions in restoring the Home market to their mutual advantage. N.Z.—CANADIAN TREATY. NEW YORK, August 13. Mr G. W. Forbes and the Canadian Minister of Trade and Commerce, Mr ■ Stevens, conferred here to-day on the question of an extension of the Canadian-New Zealand trade agree3 ment. They declined to make any ani nouncement. Their conference coni' tinues to-morrow. t 1 t INFORMAL EXCHANGES. ) (Received August 15, 10 a.m.) NEW YORK, August 14. 1 It is understood that the discussions which concluded to-day for the time ’ being, between Mr. Stevens and Mr. i Forbes, concerning the extension of the Canada —New Zealand trade treaty, have been most informal in ■ nature. Mr. Forbes, before leaving en route ■ to Washington, said that New Zealand wished to replace the present temporary trade agreement, witli a long • term pact, in the effort to increase trade between the two countries. GRASSLANDS ASSN. CHRISTCHURCH, August 15. i Experts in pasture farming, from 1 all parts of the Dominions, met to- 1 day, for the first annual conference 1

of the New Zealand Grasslands Association. Dr E. Marsden presided in the absence through illness of the President (Dr A. J-I. Cockayne) whose address was broadcast from his bod jo. Wellington, to members in the conference room. The delegates were welcomed by Dr f Hight. Rector of Canterbury College, who stressed the importance’ of maintaining the productivity of the Dominion lands. Dr Marsden then addressed the delegates.