BUTTER FOR BRITAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18067, 19 April 1933, Page 7

BUTTER FOR BRITAIN

RESTRICTIONS OPPOSED DAIRY BOARDS CONFER “A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT” (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received April 19, noon.) SYDNEY”, April 18. Immediately after the arrival of the New Zealand Dairy Board representatives to-day, they entered into a conference with representatives of the Australian Dairy Produce Export Board and discussed the problem of butter export restrictions. It is understood that the talk was more or less informal, and it is expected that concrete proposals will be submitted to morrow. No statement was issued for publication. It was stated unofficially that a majority of tlie Australian delegates, numbering 12, did not favor any restriction and the remainder insisted that there was no alternative and that it would b' l bettor in the long run to pursue that course. Mr. C. Hanbury, one of the Australian delegation, recently visited New Zealand and presented a report to his colleagues covering his visit to the Dominion. NEW ZEALAND PROPOSAL

Mr Hanbury’s report stated that they conferred with the New Zea land board, which expressed strong op position to any restrictions of exports, but suggested a system of regulated shipments providing for consignments of Australian and New Zealand butter being reduced by 1000 tons each month during March, April, and May, and by foreign countries of 3000 tons each month over the same period. This was suggested as a temporary measure, but it was opposed by Mr Hanbury and Mr Clarke as being conrary to the Australian board’s objective, and might lead to the adoption of the quota system.

Mr. Hanbury added: “It was also stated that the proposal had been fully discussed by the Australian board, and we protested against it as a dangerous precedent. -We explained that such a practice wound be detrimental to our local sales, and also fully explained our organisation in Australia, and stated that concurrence with the suggested restriction might establish conditions adverse to the stabilisation plan, and the price of dairy products in Australia.” Mr. Hanbury declared that he was strongly of the opinion that if the Commonwealth Government would give the Dairy Produce Export Board statutory power for a levy and bounty plan, it would bo laying a sound foundation tc start and build up the industry again, and save it from destruction. Dairymen in New Zealand envied our stabilisation plan The report formed the basis of discussions with the New Zealand delegates. No decision was reached and the restriction question will be considered fur ther and in all its aspects to-day.