Dairy Quota Inevitable

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7270, 25 September 1933, Page 7

Dairy Quota Inevitable

Britain Already Committed

To If

NECESSARY IN HOME FARMERS’ INTERESTS

Per Press Association,

HAMILTON, Last Night

Mr T. Baxter, representative of tho National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales, stated at Hamilton on Sat urday that, in his opinion, a quota on dairy produce imported into the United Kingdom was inevitable, as tho Imperial Government was already committed to it.

Tie Government could not recapture the markets lost through other countries establishing manufactures, through a war, so was endeavouring to adjust matters by cutting down imports as much as possible and make tho greatest possible use of home farm lands. If production was to be increased, home farming had to be made profitable. The British farmers were induced to operate the milk scheme on the definite promise of tho Government that it would protect them from gluts of dairy produce sent from overseas.

Mr Baxter said he believed the Imperial Government would probably grant tho Dominions preference in quota quantities. The United Kingdom butter market had reached tho saturation point and drastic action was necessary. New Zealand might lose in the quantity of her produce exported, biit she would benefit by the better price which would, come with, a regulated market.

Reconciliation With Ottawa

DIFFICULTIES SUGGESTED

PAHIATTJA, Sopt. 22.

Mr. H. J'. Wcrnham, director of the Co-operative Wool Marketing Association, stated that ho could not reconcile statements made by Mr. Thomas Baxter that tho British Government is committed to quotas and tho definite statement by thq British delegates to the Ottawa Conference who had made it plain that prcferenco would be given to Empire production on the British markets. .. ~ . : . Mr. Wcrnham said that as far as this country know the British Government was committed at present only to the agreement made at the conference. Quotas within the Empire were not included in tho agreement. Prominent lines of production under review were butter and bacon, yet agreements covering these commodities had been entered into with Denmark which would place that country in a preferential position to tho Dominion if any system of quota were imposed. Immediately Denmark had a minor restriction placed on her exports to England her currency was lowered by a large increase in 'her exchange, so on the basis of her enormous supply to the Home market, if the question of dumpiug could be raised. Denmark, with her higher exchange rate, was the greator delinquent. Notwithstanding contracts had been entered into with that country, with the Argentine, and with other countries outside the Empire, whose trade balances were not nearly as favourable to Great Britain as that of New Zealand.