EXCHANGE AND TARIFFS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21618, 10 October 1933, Page 11

EXCHANGE AND TARIFFS

TRADE WITH BRITAIN VIEWS OF THAMES FARMERS [bt telegraph OWN correspondent] THAMES, Monday Exchange and tariffs were discussed at the quarterly meeting of the Northern Thames sub-provincial branch of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union today.' The Waihi branch of the women's division of the Farmers' Union forwarded a remit "that in order to safeguard the livelihood of the people of New Zealand, there is an urgent necessity to secure additional markets overseas for the primary and secondary products of the Dominion."

Mr. H. Mellsop, president of the Auckland provincial union, said it was more necessary to maintain the present markets than to find new ones. The high exchange had had a disastrous effect on New Zealand's market in Britain. The raising of the exchange rate meant putting a quota on imports and therefore farmers must expect a quota on their produce. The only remedy, in Mr. Mellsop's opinion, was to have free trade with Britain. The remit was altered to read: "That the duties on British goods be reduced so as to automatically disappear in a period of three years; and, further, that an immediate reduction in tariffs should come into effect to compensate for tho increased exchange rate."

After several members had expressed their views on the exchange question, Mr. D. Steed said the resolution would be useless, as the Tariff Commission was still sitting, and the Government would not move until its report was furnished. Ho advised referring the matter back to the provincial executive. The motion was carried, with several dissentients. MB. FORBES CONGRATULATED HIGH EXCHANGE POLICY [BY TELEGKAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] STRATFORD. Monday The Stratford executive of the Farmers' Union, on the motion of Mr. Murray, its president, extended congratulations to the Prime Minister,, lit. Hon. G. W. Forbes, upon the stand taken by him in support of the high exchange rate, which, Air. Murray said, had resulted in a benefit of thousands of pounds to the dairy companies.