AGRICULTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1935, Page 8

AGRICULTURE

THE NEW COMMISSION

SURVEY OF WORK

WELLINGTON, January 18.

Administrators agree that the first task of the new executive commission of agriculture will he to consider the problem of quotas on New Zealand’s primary exports to the United Kingdom. Apart from the statutory chairman, the Minister for Agriculture, the personel of the commission, comprising three members appointed by the Government, will be announced soon. There had been no hitch in the selection and such \ delay as may seen apparent has been due to the necessity for communicating with the prospective appointees, and completing essential arrangements. The commission will have much work to do when it assumes office, and its tasks will justify the conditions of appointment—a full time job. “One doubts if it’ is fully realised in New Zealand,’’ said an expert official to-day, “that on August 20 of this year the British Government will be free, if it so desires, to do one or other of two things about dairy produce from overseas to the United Kingdom: (1) To impose a quota on dairy imports from all countries, including New Zealand, or (2)) to impose a tax. While maintaining the same preferential margins as in the Ottawa agreements, the British authorities can put a tax of 10s per cwt on New Zealand butter, and 25s on foreign butter. It does not follow, of course, that the British Government will take such action but in view of the possibilities it will be necessary for everyone concerned to give careful heed to the questions involved. “Personally, I think that, the unanimous judgement of New Zealand will be that, bad as quotas are, they are preferable to a stiff tax in order. to subsidise British producers,-"with a possibility detrimental effect on prices. In any case, the problem’ will call not only for attention of the executive commission of agriculture, but also for consideration by the Ministerial delegation to London during the English summer.”