POTATO EMBARGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23131, 1 September 1938, Page 9

POTATO EMBARGO

AUSTRALIAN DECISION NO CHANCE OF REMOVAL DOMINION'S BAN ON ORANGES SYDNEY. August 31 The acting-Minister of Customs, 31 r. J. A. Perkins, said to-day that the Federal Cabinet had discussed the question of the embargo 011 New Zealand potatoes, and there is no chance of its being lifted. .Mr. Perkins said the embargo cuts both ways. New Zealand potatoes are prohibited from coining to Australia and the New Zealand Government maintains its embargo against Australian oranges.

LONG-STANDING GRIEVANCES

ALLEG ED 1 ? ETA LI AT] ON

The Minister's statement follows a similar announcement made by the Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, 10 days ago. Under all circumstances, said Mr. Lyons, there was justification for the reservation of the domestic market for Australian producers. Trade between New Zealand and Australia in potatoes and oranges has, been tho subject of long-standing grievances. It was in 1926 that New Zealand lastexported potatoes to Australia, which forbids them on the grounds of tho danger of the introduction of disease to the Commonwealth. In that year about 12,000 tons were shipped. About 1929 a trial shipment was sent to Sydney. Discharge was refused there and the potatoes were sent to Melbourne, where also the shipment was not allowed to be landed. After much discussion tho potatoes were returned to Auckland, the shippers claiming that tho allegations that the potatoes wero affected by disease were entirely unfounded.

Tho embargo placed by Now Zealand on Australian oranges has operated from 1932. with periods of relaxation when other supplies have failed, the grounds stated for the embargo being fear of the possibility of the introduction of the Mediterranean fruit fly. A little time hack when the New Zealand embargo was discussed in Victoria it was contended that each Government- was continuing a retaliation for obstructive tactics employed some years ago. the causes of which had long disappeared. The view was expressed that New Zealand's fear of the introduction of the fruit flv was offered merely as an excuse. It was admitted that the Dominion had been long-suffering and that little ground existed for the banning of New Zealand potatoes on account of corkv scab.

Following a shortage of oranges in New Zealand early in 10:57, the Government lifted the embargo and permitted the importation of oranges from fly-free areas in Australia from early in November until April last. This course was taken in order not to penalise the people of New Zealand and tho Government was hopeful lhat the Australian authorities might be persuaded to modify the ban on New Zealand's potatoes. TAX ON SHARES MOVE FOR ABOLITION After several interstate deputations and written representations to the Federal Government, it decided two years ago to exempt absentee investors from Federal taxation, where the total income from Australian sources was less than £250.

It was reported at a recent executive meeting of the Taxpayers' Association in Melbourne that Victorian taxing authorities were still collecting State tax from small incomes derived in Victoria by persons resident oversea. It was urged that the Commonwealth action in granting an exemption of £250 should be adopted by all of the States requiring new capital to develop Australian enterprises.

G. J. COLES PROGRESS

FURTHER EXPANSION PLANNED An expenditure of £150,000 in the coming year on buildings, plant and fittings is planned by G. J. Coles and Company. Limited, Melbourne, according to the chairman, Mr. G. J. Coles, when speaking at the annual meeting recently. This amount compared with an average of £135.000 expended annually on these items over the past three years. Trade on the whole had been steady in the past year. Interests of the company were now spread throughout Australia, and any falling-ofi in one section was usually counter-balanced by an increase elsewhere. In view of the increased volume of profitable business being transacted, the directors felt confident that they should continue the policy of opening stores in newcentres where suitable sites were available. Results in the coming year would bo subject to general economic conditions, but with stocks in a satisfactory position and ample working capital to continue the programme of expansion, the future was regarded with con fidcnce. PRICES OF METALS COPPER AND TIN FIRMER LONDON, August 30 Following are to-day's quotations on the London metal market, compared with those of August 29: A tie. 30 Aug. 'J!I

RIIODESIAN MINE LABOUR According to tlio report of t lie Rhodesian Chamber of Minos for IP.'i7, tlic gold, asbestos, chrome coal, mica and other mining interests lor that year absorbed 5)0,410 natives, of whom 71,540 were employed in sold mining. This total of 90.440 compares with .'W4.000 in the Union mining industry.

Huropean employees of the mining industry of Southern Rhodesia averaged .*3007. of whom gold mining absorbed 251.'!,

Tlie gold won from Southern Rhodesia during ]9.'V7 amounted to 504.21P0x;., valued at £5,656,693. an increase of 71570z.

WRIGHT, STEPHENSON AND CO.

The accounts of Wright. Stephenson and Company, Limited, were adopted at the annual meeting in Wellington this week and dividends approved for distribution. Subject to tho passing at an extraordinary general meeting to he held 011 September 12 of a special resolution authorising tho .company to pay dividends otherwise than in cash, a bonus on ordinary shares of 5 per cent was also declared, to be distributed in the form of 5 per cent perpetual debenture stock of Abraham and Williams. Limited.

Messrs. R. S. Abraham, David Allan and J. S. Hunt, retiring directors, were re-elected. Details of the company's results were published ill the Herald on. August 23.

Per ton Per ton I s d JJ s d Copper, slan., spot 10 'J <i ■10 0 7 Cop per, stun., .'! 1110s. 10 s r J -10 •> 7 Copper, electrolytic to 10 0 to 10 0 to to ■16 10 0 ■1 (> 10 0 Copper, elect., wire ha rs 10 10 0 •t(i 10 0 l>ad. soft, spot . . 1 1 •i 11 (i 10 Nend, soft, forward II 1 i 1 i 1 1 S i Spelter, spot i:t a 0 j;i 3 <» Spelter, forward . . 1 :i (> l ( i ia (i 10 I'in, stan., spot . . 1 lf_» • > 0 3 HO rj (i Pin, stan., mos. net 6 ]!IL r_! 0