EXPORT OF BUTTER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 740, 19 April 1933, Page 1

EXPORT OF BUTTER.

Australians Opposed to Restrictions. CONFERENCE IN SYDNEY. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, April IS. Immediately after the arrival of the New Zealand Dairy Export Board representatives to-day, they entered into conference at Sydney with representatives of the Australian Dairy Produce Export Board and discussed the problem of butter export restriction. It is understood that the talk was more or less informal. It is expected that concrete proposals will be submitted to-morrow. No statement was issued for publication but it was stated unofficially that the majority of the Australian delegates, numbering twelve, did not favour restriction. The remainder insisted that there was no alternative and that it would be better in the long run to pursue that course. Mr C. Hanbury, one of the Australian delegation which recently visited New Zealand, presented a report to his colleagues covering his visit to the Dominion. Regulated Shipments. Mr Hanbury’s report stated that they had conferred with the New Zealand Dairy Export Board, which expressed strong opposition to any restrictions of exports, but suggested a system of regulated shipments providing for consignments of Australian and New Zealand butter being reduced bv 1000 tons each month during March, April and May, and tv foreign countries by 3000 tons each month over the same period. This was suggested as a temporary measure, but it was opposed by Messrs Hanbury and Clarke as being contrary to the Australian Board’s objective, and might lead to the adoption of the quota system. “ It was also stated that the proposal had been fully discussed bv the Australian Board, and we protested against it as a dangerous precedent,” added Mr Hanbury, “We explained that such a practice would be detrimental to our local sales. We also fully explained our organisation iti 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.” u Levy and Bounty Plans. 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 be laying a sound foundation to start and build up the industry again, and save it from destruction. Dairymen in New Zealand envied their stabilisation plan. The report formed the basis of discussions with the New Zealand delegates.

No decision was reached, and the restriction question is to be considered further, and in all its aspects to-day.