AUSTRALIAN IMPORTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 13, 6 April 1927, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN IMPORTS

FARMERS MEET DIFFICULTIES EMBARGO IN FORCE (From Oxtr Own Correspondcyit.) PALMERSTON, To-day. During the past three or four months there has been considerable agitation among Australian farmers over the importation of New Zealand potatoes, pork, bacon, ham and butter. An embargo was imposed upon the importation of New Zealand grown potatoes, but whenever a shortage occurred in the Australian crop, permits which nullified the effect of the embargo, were granted by the Australian authorities certified as free from

“corky* or powdery scab. On February 15 the issue of import permits was stopped and this regulation is now strictly in force. A cable of protest was sent to the Commonwealth Prime Minister and the following reply, which had been received from Mr. Bruce, was received at Saturday’s meeting of the Manawatu Provincial Branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union:—“This matter has received serious consideration since the discovery in June last of an infected consignment This Government had a very natural and sincere reluctance in imposing any measure adversely affecting trade between the Dominion and the Commonwealth. After the fullest consideration I have, with great regret, to inform you that this Government considers that present arrangements should continue until it is clear that the importation of bulk consignments can be resumed without the slightest risk of the importation of disease.”

However, the position is one which is viewed with apprehension by the farmers for it was stated that representatives of the bacon industry in New South Wales met recently with a view to increasing the duty on New Zealand bacon and liams to 6d per lb. and not less than 3d on green pork. Such proposal, if put into effect would, it was considered, cripple the export trade. Australian farmers, too, were apparently determined to do all that was possible through the tariff to make the sale of New Zealand butter practically unprofitable in the Commonwealth, as evidenced by a resolution passed at a conference of Australian producers urging that the duty on New Zealand butter be increased to 6d per lb. and to 6d per lb. on cheese. Up to the present, however, nothing has been done by the Commonwealth officials regarding the increase from 2d to 6d, but the outcome will be awaited with interest by Dominion producers. A matchmaker often gets her fingers burned. Flattery works better if you spread it on thin. * * * A girl’s father might overlook a young man’s shortcomings if it wasn’t for his long stayings.