EMPIRE SCHEME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27428, 29 June 1950, Page 6

EMPIRE SCHEME

Marketing Of Wool

NOT REJECTED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM PA WELLINGTON, June 28. The United Kingdom Government has not definitely rejected proposal* for a dominions’ wool marketing scheme to succeed the Joint Organisation, Mr W. Horrobin, deputy chairman of the New Zealand Wool Board, said today when he addressed the annual conference of the meat and wool section of Federated Farmers. Mr Horrobin’s address to the conference was taken in committee, but he later made points from it available to the press. The British Government had agreed jointly with the dominions to carry on the present Joint Organisation till July next year, Mr Horrobin said. There' had been opposition to the new scheme from the outset from sections of the trade in Britain, and in this connection Mr Horrobin named the British Wool Federation. It would be possible for the dominions to have a scheme without the United Kingdom, but every endeavour was being made to have an Empire scheme. At present New Zealand was awaiting word from Australia and South Africa on their decisions on the proposals as outlined by the Minister of Agriculture early this month. Mr Horrobin emphasised the desirability of exploring every avenue for » joint Empire scheme, and said the industry was being kept fully informed as information came to hand. Negotiations were going on all the time. Subject to the approval of the Australian and South African Governments, the next step would be to seek approval of the scheme from the International Trade Organisation. Any scheme would, of necessity, have to withstand the buying up of up to 50 per cent, of the wool clip during any severe depression period, said Mr Horrobin. New Zealand had more than adequate funds to meet its share in any future joint organisation.