OPPOSITION TO QUOTA.

Matamata Record, Volume XVI, Issue 1442, 17 July 1933, Page 5

OPPOSITION TO QUOTA.

FARMERS’ UNION VIEWS. Free Trade With Homeland. Opposition to the application of the quota system to New Zealand’s primary products was expressed at the Dominion Farmers’ Union conference last week. The following resolutions were carried:—

“ That this conference vigorously opposes any Governmental step in the direction of curtailing or restricting the export of primary production by way of quota or otherwise, considering any action in this direction inimical to the best interests of the Dominion.”

“ That the free and unrestricted entry of our products into the British market is so vital to the prosperity of the Dominion that negotiations should be entered into with the British Government to ascertain on what terms this privilege could be secured and what concessions should be made with the view Of obtaining it, and suggests in order to obviate any suggestions of quotas on our primary products, we should endeavour by every means to develop free trade with the Homeland.”

Mr. W. Boyd (Matangi) said that a principle was involved.. Major W. E. Elliot, British Minister of Agriculture, in a statement in the House: of Commons on the Agricultural Department’s Estimates, was voicing the opinion of the British farmer. If New Zealand’s production were curtailed, it would make it increasingly difficult for New Zealand to honour her obligations. From the British farmer’s point of view the position was understandable, and Mr. Boyd said he would go so far as to state that a quota would be imposed whether New Zealand liked it or not.

“ Unfair Competition.”

Mr. A. P. Melville (Wanganui) said Major Elliot would do all he could for the British farmer. Dairymen in Scotland were complaining bitterly over what they called unfair competition with a managed currency. If exchange were swept av, vy and free entry of goods from the Old Country were allowed, there would be little talk of quotas.

Mr. D. B. Higgins (Matamata) said there was still a great scope for butter in England, but the trouble was the price. New Zealand should buy British goods and put the English people in the position in which they could buy New Zealand produce.

A Bombshell From London.

A copy of the London cablegram published that day was submitted to the chairman, and read to the conference. r

It was described by Mr. Boyd as a “bombshell.” He said the conference should send a cable to the Prime Minister in London setting out the views of farmers on the subject. If the British Government could be assured that the New Zealand farmers were endeavouring to encourage reciprocity with Britain, then there would not be the same agitation over quotas. Captain F. Colbeck (Morrinsville) said that if the people of Britain were given the money to purchase butter, the quota agitations would disappear.