EXPORT QUOTAS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19587, 6 September 1933, Page 10

EXPORT QUOTAS

IMPOSITION NOT FAVOURED DISLOCATION OF TRADE By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, September 4. “One Is justified in looking askance at all forms of embargoes, quotas and all other abnormal trade restrictions, not only from the point of view of the Immediately resulting trade dislocation which they cause, but also because they are likely to prove to be two-edged weapons capable of cutting both ways,” declared Mr T. C. Brash, president of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet at the annual conference of the federation to-day. He said that a one-way trade or an unduly hampered trade was not healthy, and sooner or later repercussions were likely to emanate to the detriment of all concerned. It was fully to be admitted that every country had the right to impose embargoes as a safeguard, but even so they should not lightly be indulged in or made more irksome than the circumstances warranted.

“However, there n.ay be times when an embargo is justified, and this claim, I contend, applied for a considerable time before December last, when the New Zealand Government took action, in the direction of prohibiting the further importation of fruit into this country from Australia,” said Mr Brash. The speaker made a plea for greater co-operation and emphasised the need for a spirit of service, saying that fruitgrowing was one of the lesser primary industries, but it could give a great lead if the individuals who made up the federation were imbued with the high ideals and laudable ambitions which were so necessary at the present time in all parts of the globe. Referring to the operations of the federation, Mr Brash said that growers would remember that for years discussion took place regarding the great need of Improving the local marketing of fruit. The first move under the “Dominion Mark” scheme was made eighteen months ago. The first season made evident the necessity for the federation to take a very much firmer hold of this proposal if it was to be made a success. As a result the distribution and sale of Dominion mark fruit was undertaken by the board. This was a tremendous undertaking. By the end of December the federation would have handled, probably, over 150,000 cases. That difficulties had arisen, was but natural, and for some of these difficulties growers themselves were responsible. The ideal of the Dominion mark scheme was the supplying to the retailer of fruit cf a guaranteed quality. The grower could make this possible. With a guaranteed and well advertised quality an adequate price would eventually be secured. The balance-sheet, the directors felt, was satisfactory. The net profit was £615 lower than that of the previous year, but this reduction had been brought about by carrying forward Into next year’s business portion of the export revenue. The financial position of the federation was thoroughly sound. There w r ere no bad assets, and the capital available for assisting growers was increasing steadily. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.