BUTTER PROBLEM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 81, 17 March 1933, Page 7

BUTTER PROBLEM

RESTRICTION PROPOSAL AUSTRALIAN BOARD HAS NOT YET AGREED. POSITION IN NEW ZEALAND UNALTERED. Wellington, March .10. Tlie only development to-day in the Imllcr problem was an indication from Australia that the Dairy Board there has not agreed yet to any restriction oi exports. A Cuuberra cable message on Tuesday said that the Australian Dairy Board had reluctantly agreed on a ti per cent, restriction of exports, but this is at variance with private cable messages received in Wellington to-day. The New Zealand Dairy Produce Export. Board received a message from tho Australian board stating that the Commonwealth Government bud submitted to it certain proposals regarding export restrictions. The board, however, was taking up a non-com-inilu! attitude in the meantime, and the question would he discussed al. a special meeting ar, Canberra nest Tuesday. A message received in another quarter to-day is said to have slated that the Australian Dairy Board had definitely refused to commit itself to any policy of restriction of exports, and that if restriction was to be enforced, then the Coiiunouwmilt.lt Government must undertake the responsibility for such a decision. In the meantime the position remains entirely unchanged. As far ns the New Zealand Dairy* Board is concerned, at its last meeting it carried a resolution definitely opposing any restriction. Three representatives of the board will leave shortly for Australia to discuss matters affecting the industry with the board there. As matters stand, no meeting of the New Zealand board will bo held until the end of April. The position is unsettling to the dairying industry. London reports indicate that Australia’s supposed agreement to a restriction had the effect of firming the market there. NOTHING DEFINITE TO REPORT MINISTER WATCHING POSITION. Wellington, March 16. Tho proposals for the restriction of New Zealand’s butter exports are receiving the constant attention of the Government, with tho collaboration of the Dairy Board, according to a statement made by tho Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. Replying to a question, tho Minister said that it was still too early to give any inkling of the course of action which would bo agreed upon. There was nothing now or definite to report ou the discussions. Mr Coates said that the Government was closely in touch with the Dairy Board, which was being consulted at every step. “We are also in touch with the Governments of Great Britain and Australia and have emphasised our anxiety to cooperate in meeting the difficulties,” said the Minister. “The latest advices show that the discussions in London have been postponed owing to tho absence of Ministers. The Government, is watching the position very carefully, but beyond an assurance that we are in close touch with the board there is nothing that can be said at the present moment.”