WAR-TIME NEEDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23470, 6 October 1939, Page 9

WAR-TIME NEEDS

SUPPLIES FOR BRITAIN PURCHASE BY STATE "1. POWERS IX NEW BILL jfAXDLTNG OF ALL OUTrUT [nv TFX EG HAFT! —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON", Thursday " Four years ago the Primary Products Marketing Department took o ver the marketing of all New Zealand butter and cheese, and in that time it has built- up a procedure that is almost complete." said the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, in open- ' j n g the second reading debate in the House of Representatives to-night on the Marketing Amendment Bill. "The procedure is not perfect," said tho Minister. "Nothing is iierfect, but the procedure has been recognised as almost complete, by almost every other country in the world. The bill is designed to extend that procedure to meat and wool and their by-products and to any other produce*" The bill was one of major importance, said the Minister. It would extend' orderly and rational marketing to all the products that the United Kingdom required from New Zealand %nd it was a question whether any other organised body connected with the- commerce of this or any other ''country was better fitted to take over that duty thaU the Primary Products •Marketing Department. It had allowed " producers in New Zealand, as well as retailers and consumers in Great Britain, to reap real advantages. Great Contribution It was intended, Mr. Nash continued, • to supply to the United Kingdom the maximum quantity of foodstuffs, wool and other products the Dominion could produce at the lowest possible price consistent with a . fair return to the producer and allowing for all charges necessary. ' "I would say that this country can make as great a-contribution to the needs of the Old Country as any other single agent," said Mr. Nash. "The department is in a position to take over at a moment's notice.'' The initial object of the bill was to give effect to ; the request of the United Kingdom that New Zealand should hecome its agent for the purchase of certain products, and, as these were not ail necessarily primary products, it was necessary to change the name. Mr. G. Duncan, at present director of the export division of the Primary Products Marketing Department, would become director of the export division of the Marketing Department, and no better man could have been selected for the job. Keeping Charges Down ."It is imperative that every unnecessary .. charge between the producer and the Government of the Old Country should be eliminated," said Mr. Nash. "It would have been criminal for New Zealand or the United Kingdom to allow the haggling that generally arises when there is a strong demand. This procedure will ensure that the producer gets his full share of the price paid." The United Kingdom would be the ' sole buyer, said the Minister. It would, for instance k take tho whole New Zealand wool clip, but presumably the United Kingdom would , sell to other countries after its pvn needs had been met. Negotiations "on this point were still proceeding, but it was hoped that an announcement would be made before the session closed. Fair Price for Wool Mr. Nash said that conferences had been held with representatives of all sections of the wool trade to find a fair price for New* Zealand wool. A report had been submitted that formed the basis of the Government's offer to the United Kingdom. There was still an eleme.nt of bargaining in these negotiations. because it had not yet been established what share New Zealand might take in the event of New Zealand wool being resold at a profit. The purchasing of all other commodities would be financed in the s?ime manner .as the purchase of dairy produce. Sin Alfred Ransom (Opposition— Pakiatua): I hope the price for wool will not be less than the Australian price. < . Mr. Nash: Comparatively, I think it will be quite.as good. Revision After the War

Mr. H. G. Dickie (Opposition— Patea): Is this arrangement for the ; -period of the war only, or is it permanent? Mr. Nash: It is not permanent. The House is, of course, in control, as I said the other night. It will be brought before the House to ensure that the House has. the last say when the war ' is over and after a period for necessary adjustments. . The Minister concluded by paying a tribute to the splendid co-operation he had been given by all connected with the marketing of .New Zealand produce. INCREASED FREIGHT RATES SHIPPING COMPANIES CRITICISED [BY TKf.KORAJ'FI —rSI'KCIAk IIF.T'ORTEII] WELLINGTON. Thursday The action of shipping companies in raising the freight rates in war time was criticised .by Dr. D. G. McMillan (Government —Dunedin West) during the debate on the .Marketing Amendment Bill in the House to-night. He said the Board of Trade was carrying all the war risks. "The British taxpayer is thus carrying the risk; but the shipping companies have put up the rates ?5 per cent," Dr. .McMillan .said. He added that unfortunately most of the companies were not New Zealand concerns and the Government was not in a position to control them.