QUOTAS AND THE TARIFF

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1934, Page 9

QUOTAS AND THE TARIFF

“ERRONEOUS IMPRESSIONS” PRODUCE FOE BRITISH MARKETS. "STATEMENTS NOT JUSTIFIED.” yHE SEARCH FOR NEW OUTLETS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night Erroneous views held in some quarters conrerning the British Governments attitude to the unrestricted entry of New Zealand produce to Great Britain and the effort of this attitude on the tariff policy of the Dominion were commented upon by the Prime Minister to-day. Mr. Forbes said it was realised that the capacity of the British market to absorb New ' Zealand . produce at a reasonable price was limited, and consequently the possibility of developing new markets had been discussed at recent Cabinet meetings. It had been made clear in cable messages that New Zealand had not offered free entry to British goods in return for the unrestricted entry of Dominion produce in England, continued Mr. Forbes. The opinion expressed by producers and producers’ organisations that New Zealand could obtain special concessions to the exclusion of other Dominions was unfounded. It had been clearly stated at the Ottawa Conference and since then that there could be no differentiation on the British market in the treatment of the various Dominions. In its communications with the British Government on the subject the New Zealand Government had merely been asking for information. The replies had shown there was no justification for the belief that-if New Zealand gave free «>n try to British goods Great Britain would give unrestricted entry to New Zealand produce. That belief was opposed to the expressed opinion of the British Government. “The whole subject of marketing, including the possibility of developing new markets, will be discussed with the Dairy Produce Board when the Government confers with it again,” said Mr. Forbes. “In the meantime definite steps are being fa Iron to explore every possibility of finding additional markets. In investigating possible • new markets the main object will be to see that it is possible to develop them at prices that will justify the undertaking.” Mr. Forbes said he was unable to state whether there was any possibility of a Ministerial representative being sent to the East or to any other countries that might be concerned. He added that t there would be no difficulty in making arrangements with the shipping companies to carry New Zealand produce" where it was required.

QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS.

MR. THOMAS DENIES OFFER.

London, March 28.

In the House of Commons, replying to Mr. Harcourt Johnstone’s request for a statement regarding the alleged New Zealand offer of a free tariff for British goods in return for free and unlimited entry of New Zealand products into Britain, Mr. J. H. Thomas, Dominions Secretary, said: “No such offer has been made. Mr. Johnstone is probably referring to the recent correspondence on the question of dairy produce.” Mr. Percy Harris: Is the Government prepared to give a free market if the offer is made? •, t. » Mr.-Thomas: .You can Understand what my answer is when you read it. Referring to the rejection of the alleged. New Zealand’s free tariff in return for free marketing of produce, the Daily Herald’s political correspondent asks: “What is Mr. Walter Elliot up to? What Is he aiming at? He is no respecter of parties. His influence extends wherever the young men idea is being spread assidously. He is a man of destiny who will lead youth out‘ of the valley of dead bones which pc/itics are said to have become. Old men are watching jealously. There, is much speculation as to what will happen when Mr. Elliot decides to come into the open. It is clear that sooner or later he intends to bid for the leadership!”