Views of Farmers’ Leaders

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 5

Views of Farmers’ Leaders

SHEEPOWNERS FEEL GRAVE DOUBTS OF FUTURE Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. The seriousness of the British Government’s reduction by 3 per cent, on last year’s importation of Dominion frozen meat was suggested in figures quoted this evening by Mr. H. D. Acland, president of the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation. He said that the position would be fully discussed a; an early meeting of the Meat Board. The first comment made by Mr Acland was that the restriction appeared to be based on last year’s tonnage and that was the lowest for New Zealand since the Ottawa Agreement was made. Under the Ottawa Agreement New Zealand was allowed 195,000 tons with 5000-ton increases. Last year the tonnago was 185,000 and the Dominion was under the new regulations to be cut 3 per on the 185,000 tons. The second point made by Mr. Acland was that the restriction was placed on tonnage and not on numbers of carcases. Last year the average weight of New Zealand lambs was more than lib. below that in 1936. The average weight was under 331bs. and two years ago over 341bs. In 1938, 9,000,000 quarters were exported.

“It cannot for a moment be seriously contended that the fall in prices in England was due to increased supplies from New Zealand,” Mr. Acland said. “A restriction on Australia and New Zealand jointly, running into say 8000 tons of mutton and lamb, cannot possibly affect prices in England. “MAY NOT BE SERIOUS” QUOTAS NOT APPROVED AT SYDNEY CONFERENCE Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. “The reduction may not bo seriously effective,” comsmented Mr. W. W. Mulholland, president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The effect probably would not be serious this year. The consequences to the Dominion of the restriction would depend on the ultimate production, Said Mr. Holland. The indications had been that there would be some slight falling off in production. “I do not think that 3 per cent, will be regarded as being a heavy reduction,’’ ho said. “Whether it is light or heavy depends on tho season. If production gains 10 per cent., then all our stuff could not be sold.”

A reply was made by Air. Mulholland to a report by Mr. E. W. Gough, a former New Zealand farmer who is now a member of the English National Farmers’ Union, that “he anticipated the application of quotas against each of the Dominions and colonics on lines suggested at the Empire Producers’ Conference at Sydney, the leader of which (Sir Reginald Dorman Long) was the new Minister of Agriculture.” “Nothing was suggested by the conference in Sydney of any quota against the Dominions,”, said Mr. Mulholland. “Either Mr. Gough’s remark was misunderstood or his reference is to what the British delegation suggested, but which was not agreed to by the conference. The British delegation agreed to tho finding of the conference, which deliberately omitted all reference to restriction, quota, any form of import duty and so on.”

DOMINION WAS KEPT FULLY INFORMED TOO EARLY YET TO FORECAST EFFECTS OF CUT Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 17. "I can only say that I regret there is to be a reduction in the quantities ol New Zealand mutton and lamb to bt admitted into Britain,” said the Minister of Marketing, Mr. Nash, when informed of the British Government’i decision this morning. He added thai he would be unable to make further :omment until he examined all the facts contained in cables in Wellington. Negotiations between New Zealand ind British Governments had been proceeding since the latter part of last rear, stated the Minister, and he had been kept fully informed at each stage. Asktd whether a surplus of production was likely to be experienced in (he Dominion, Mr. Nash replied that it R'as too early at this stage to forecast the effects of restriction, but if the 3ritish market were unable to absorb :he whole of the mutton and lamb *vailable for shipment from New Zealand the Government would be able to ieal with the position in some other way.

"I think we can adapt ourselves to he new circumstances created by the luota,” Mr. Nash concluded.