FRENCHMEN’S VIEWS

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 September 1946, Page 3

FRENCHMEN’S VIEWS

MISGIVINGS CREATED AMONG WOOLGROWERS LITTLE RECIPROCAL TRADE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 19. “The remarks by French woolbuyers at Wednesday’s sale must cause misgivings in the minds of all woolgrowers,” said Mr J. J. Maher, Dominion treasurer of the Federated Farmers, in a statement. They referred to the reluctance of New Zealand to take French exports, and said this had not assisted their financial arrangements. “I am only a small woolgrower. My clip is only 60 bales, but as it comes off second-class country I am vitally interested,” he said. “I inquired about the trade position with France during the last six months, and found that she took £2,500,000 worth ol our goods, while we took £2500 worth of goods in return, less than one farthing in the £. “How can we expect to sell wool to them on that basis? I am apprehensive about the whole position. The watersiders are still holding up wool for. Spain and we are doing our best to spoil our wool trade'with our ally.” . Mr Maher said he would like to see the comments on these matters of the chairman of the Wool Disposals Commission, and the chanman of the Wool Board. He con-i sidered that on a question of this nature they should let the farmeis know what they thought, and what they had said to the Government. The Government had had ample warning that the position with France was going to be difficult, and there should be some reply which could be given to the farmers.