ATTITUDE ADOPTED BY FOREIGN COMPETITORS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 178, 30 July 1932, Page 20 (Supplement)

ATTITUDE ADOPTED BY FOREIGN COMPETITORS

EFFORTS TO COUNTERACT THE DELIBERATIONS

Interesting aspects arising in connection . with the conference at Ottawa are discussed, in a bulletin issued by the Empire Dairy Council, London. The attitude adopted by foreign competitors on the London market, and their efforts to counteract the probable effects of Ottawa deliberations are, perhaps, the most notable points revealed.

It is evident, says the council, that in Danish dairying circles considerable concern is felt at the growing popularity of Empire dairy produce with the British housewife, and the methods employed by Danish propagandists in England to retain their hold on that market must be considered regrettable. Pamphlets suggesting that Denmark is a better potential customer of Britain than the Dominions have been circulated among members of Parliament, and while no objection can be raised against the declared objective of t hese propagandists—namely, to promote the sale of British goods in Danish markets—it is significant that the whole move is inspired by Danish agricultural interests.

The facts are, of course, that in 1930 Australia and New Zealand bought £52,000,000 worth of British goods, compared with £10,000,000 worth bought by Denmark. As a purchaser of British manufactures, one New Zealander is worth six Danes. Those with Empire interests at heart have brought these facts to the notice of the British public, with the result that the somewhat crude propaganda methods have defeated their own object, and put the British housewife and manufacturer on the side of the Empire producer. Propaganda Efforts Mr. J. G. Stapleton, of the British Dairy Farmers’ Association, is reported to have made a direct reference to the propaganda efforts of foreign dairying countries in presiding at the annual meeting of the Empire Dairy Council in London. “Foreign dairying countries which have for so long enjoyed domination of the British market,’’ he said, ‘ 4 have to face the unpalatable truth that Britain must give first preference to its Home farmers and to its kinsihen across the seas. The efforts now being made by foreign dairying countries to assure us of their willingness to take a share of our manufactured goods more proportionate to the colossal dairy export trade they have enjoyed for so many years smacks of a deathbed penitence. Our path is clear. The people of this country desire, l think, to keep the money in the family as closely as possible.” There was unusual activity on the part of Russian butter exporters during April, for no fewer than 13,325 barrels of Soviet butter entered British ports, compared with only 1659 in April, 1931, continues the bulletin. Up to April 30 this year butter imports from Russia totalled 16,243 barrels, which was ten times the quantity imported during the corresponding period of last year. Supplies from Denmark It is pointed out, however, that Russia is by no means the only menace to the Home and Dominion dairy farmers. The restriction of butter imports by Continental countries, particularly France and Germany, who have adopted the quota system with a view

to balancing trade, has already resulted in increased Danish supplies being directed toward the British market, and the situation threatens to become worse as the season advances. It is said that a growing feeling exists that, in order to meet the , immediate problem of the present' season, either a bigger tariff must be imposed on foreign butters or there must bo some other check on the influx of foreign supplies. The Parliamentary Secre tary to the Department of Overseas Trade dropped a hint that steps might bo necessary to adjust Britain's adverse balance of trade with Russia. If there is any question of prohibition or restriction of Russian imports, ad- 1 the bulletin, butter is obviously marked out for first coivideration. Commenting on the trade in Dominion products the council mentions the growing popularity of New Zealand dairy produce in Northern homes. A total of 252,809 boxes of butter and 91,231 crates of cheese were registered as entering the ports of Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow up to April 30 this year. This compared with 154,607 boxes and 74.228 crates during the corresponding period last year and represented an increase of more than 60 per cent, in the case of butter and 20 per eent. in the case of cheese. Manchester shipments were more than doubled compared with last year. Practical Adviser Dominion farmers, it is claimed, will join with English farmers in welcoming the appointment of Sir Douglas Newton, M.P., as agricultural adviser to Ihe Ottawa Conference, as he is a pnu lical farmer with a wide grasp of- problems of the industry. The council thinks that his appointment should satisfy the Dominions that the whole problem of protecting both Home and Empire agricultural produce will be sympathetically treated. Sir Douglas, as a member of the Parliamentary Section of the Empire Dairy Council, has taken an active part in bringing together Home and timplre interests, and no one, it is said, is more qualified to weigh the claims of the producers of the Homeland and the Dominions with strict impartiality aided by expert knowledge. Sir Douglas is chairman of the Conservatory Parliamentary Agricultural Committee.