" Petty Trade Imbroglio ”

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 308, 29 December 1938, Page 8

" Petty Trade Imbroglio ”

Uncompromising Embargo On New Zealand Potatoes AUSTRALIA TO BLAME United Press Association. —By Blectrlo Telegraph.—Copyright. SYDNEY, Dec. 28. Mr Bruce Walker, a member of Parliament, who returned by the Monterey to-day, gave the Sun an interview concerning his talks with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr Savage, on the potato and citrus fruit embargoes, in which he emphasised thal the Commonwealth had adopted ar unreasonable attitude in regard to th« embargo on New Zealand potatoes. He related how the trouble could be overcome, and the extent to which M: Savage was prepared to reciprocate. Mr Walker represents a large citrusgrowing electorate which includes Gos* ford and the Hawkesbury river. Mr Walker declared that New Zealand politically and economically was in an unhappy state. Mr Savage was facing a split in his own party. There was a desperate shortage of farm workers, as young men were deserting the land for relief work at £4 10/- a week. The Sydney Morning Herald, editorially commenting on Mr Walker’s statement, says: “There seems to be no sufficient reason why the Australian and New Zealand Governments should not reach a compromise to remove trade restrictions and get rid of this longstanding absurdity. “For the perpetuation of this petty trade embroglio Australia, it appears, must bear the brunt of the blame. It is the Federal Government which rejects a settlement; yet nere its narrow and parochial attitude stands in direct contradiction of its proclaimed policy Df greater freedom of international trade. “The anomaly of embargoes is made especially unjustifiable by the common sentiments and interests shared by the two Dominions. If New Zealand is prepared, as it appears, to reach a compromise over the potato and orange bans, the Federal Government can only stand as unreasonable and inconsistent if it will not do its share towards achieving friendly and beneficial reciprocity in trade.”