AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23501, 16 May 1938, Page 10

AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS

DOMINION AGRICULTURISTS VALUE EMPHASISED CANBERRA, May 14. The possibility of permanent New Zealand representation on the Australian Agricultural Council in order that both dominions may meet their mutual problems on a common basis was mentioned at the Agricultural Council Conference. The suggestion came from Mr E. J. Hogan, Victorian Minister of Agriculture, who emphasised the value of an exchange of views between New Zealand and Australia, and was advanced after the conference had heard from Mr Lee Martin a helpful outline of New Zealand’s marketing methods. Replying to tentative Australian suggestions that the council meet in New Zealand at some future date, Mr Lee Martin gave an assurance that, if such an eventualitv occurred, the Australians would receive a warm welcome. Delegates generally expressed the view that the presence of the New Zealand Minister at the conference had been most helpful in the discussions, and at the termination of the conference they commended Mr Lee Martin for his co-operation and useful contribution to the discussions.

The delegates expressed admiration of New Zealand’s marketing legislation as outlined by Mr Martin, and of New Zealand’s ability readily to implement its marketing policy. Even a change of Government would not cause the repeal of the marketing legislation. Mr Martin confidently remarked. When Mr F. W. Bulcock (the Queensland Minister of Agriculture) remarked that the guaranteed prices might in future give the Reserve Bank some headaches, Mr Marlin smilingly retorted that his Government would not be worried by that. Mr Martin said that the conference discussions had given him an insight into many Australian legislative difficulties inseparable from a Federal Constitution, with six States still retaining legislative powers within their own territories.