FRENCH BOYCOTT

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1939, Page 3

FRENCH BOYCOTT

MR NASH CONCILIATORY

(Per Press Association.—Copyright)

WELLINGTON, April 30

It was unfortunate for the North Canterbury executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union that it accepted blindly the mis-statements of Mr W. W. Mulholland, the national president o,f the union, concerning French wool buyers, instead of ascertaining the true facts said the Hon. W. Nash, Minister for Finance, before leaving for Auckland to-night.

“Statements that 1 have refused an interview to the French Consul and French wool buyers is untrue, as the union could have discovered it it bad taken the trouble to inquire from anyone who was connected with the matter,” said Mr Nash. “I have seen French woolbuyers and discussed the position thoroughly with them. “T have also met the French Consul on the subject; and assured him that if he will supply the Government with information concerning articles that can he imported from France without injuring the trade of the United Kingdom or unfairly discriminating nsrainst any other nation we shall give immediate consideration to the possibility of establishing trade on a recioroga' basis. I would he the first to resent discourtesy to any Consul accredited to this Government or to representatives of overseas firms trading with the Dominion. “Neither the Consul for France nor any other representative-of an overseas nation has been refused an interview. Tf mutual agreement can ho reached the Dominion will gladly extend tlie most favoured nation provision to France, and the Consul has been advised accordingly.”