LIFTING URGED

Southland Times, Issue 22490, 26 January 1935, Page 6

LIFTING URGED

POTATO EMBARGO X ■ GOVERNMENT’S INSISTENCE SOUGHT FARMERS’ REMIT The Australian embargo upon New Zealand potatoes was discussed by the Provincial Executive of the Southland Branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union at their meeting yesterday, and it was decided, upon the motion of Mr P. Arnott, that the following remit should go forward to the Dominion Executive: “That as the lifting of the Australian embargo upon New Zealand potatoes is of vital importance to the Dominion growers, the Government be urged to push this question with earnestness and despatch.” In introducing the subject, Mr Arnott expressed the view that the New Zealand Ministers who would again shortly be conferring with the representatives of the Australian Government should insist upon the potato embargo being lifted to a certain extent before they would allow oranges to come into this Dominion. “It seems about the only lever we have and the Australians have not treated us very fairly in the past as regards tariffs,” he added. Mr Arnott then moved the resolution mentioned above.

Tiie president (Mr W. J._ A. McGregor) said that he was not in favour of a restriction upon potatoes rmless there was a like restriction upon the Australian oranges. “I think we should sit tight and keep their fruit out—then they will agree to take our potatoes,” he added. Mr McGregor advocated the importing of greater quantities of Jamaican oranges, the carrying of which, he said, would mean an impetus to the cargo trade of New Zealand ships. Mr J. R. Haigh: Suppose we do take the Jamaican oranges, is that going to help our potato growers? Mr McGregor: I think the Australian Government would then remove the embargo on our potatoes. I certainly think our Government should sit tight. In reply to a further question from Mr Haigh, Mr McGregor said that, although the Australian growers might not be keen to have our potatoes sent over, the consumers, he knew, definitely wanted them. “Well, as a Farmers’ Union, we must look at all angles and not be too selfish,” remarked Mr Haigh. _ “When we want our potatoes to go into Australia we are dragging in the consumer over there to help us but we are not going to drag in our consumers of oranges to suport the Australians’ plea for the lifting of the citrus fruit embargo.” The opinion that nothing could be worse than some of the Australian oranges which had been sold in Invercargill about Christmas time was expressed by Mr McGregor, who said they were small, often third grade, sour and had skins as tough as those of a rhinoceros (laughter.) Mr Haigh: We are going to vote on a motion which virtually amounts to this: “If you are not going to take our potatoes, we are not going to take your oranges.” In other words “if I can’t play in your back-yard, you can’t play in mine.” Voices: Quite right, too! Mr Haigh: We should endeavour to get away from that parochial idea. Mr Arnott: I make only one sentence in. reply to Mr Haigh—The trade balance is essentially in favour of Australia. The motion was then put and earned.