EMPIRE PROBLEMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 35, 10 February 1934, Page 9

EMPIRE PROBLEMS

THE QUOTA PROPOSAL SIR J. S. ALLEN’S OPINION AN ELEMENT OF DANGER BUTTER PRICE DISPARITY [ Per Press Association. | HAWERA, Feb. 9. Tho importance of close Empire links and the trend of world affairs in relation to Britain, were outlined in a public address to-day by Sir John San deman Allen, chairman of tho Commerce Committee of the House of Commons, who spoke at the invitation of the New Zealand Master Grocers’ Federation, whose annual conference is in progress at Hawcra. Sir John also referred to the war debt question, tho situation in Russia and the possibility of the Japanese menace in the Pacific. The conference affirmed its loyalty to tho King and Empire and gave a pledge to give preference to Empire goods. Concerning war debts, Sir John said that the attitude towards America should be that she had treated gold in such a way’ that she could not be paid in gold. He suggested that Britain should pay America in goods and services. There was a very strong feeling in England that it would bo necessary to go further and say that tho debts were incurred for goods bought at ridiculous prices and as guarantor for other nations. Also that they were incurred long before America came into tho war. Sir John said that as regards New Zealand and Australia, he did not think there was anything to fear from the Japanese menace in the Pacific. Japan’s whole aim was the expansion of trade. The Japanese knew that a war with America or a war in which England was brought in, would smash them in trade. “They would not mind a war with Russia, and many of us would not mind if they did quarrel.’’ he added. To-day the governments were realising that the life blood of the nation was trade. Japan had that idea better than anyone else. Opposition to the suggested quotas on New Zealand dairy produce was expressed by Sir John in an interview. He considered that such a policy was very short-sighted and not without an element of danger. His opinion was also held by many other members of the Commons. While there were many who favoured the proposal, there was a primary producing country and anything that would tend to restrict her exports would naturally have a reaction on the country’s development. New Zealand should have every opportunity to pay her debts to Great Britain. Referring later in a public address to tho market in Britain for primary products, Sir John Sandeman Allen asked why the price of New Zealand butter was lower than Danish. “Wo know that New Zealand butter is as good, or better,” he said. “The reason for tho difference in price is worthy of close investigation. One possible cause is that many people in England mix up Australia and New Zealand. 1 think Now Zealand has to have a much mor< distinctive method of advertising but ter. It is not in the North, because your whole system is directed front London. The Danes send butter tc Newcastle and HuU and have the markets there. It is a grave mistake that Now Zealand has not a distributing centre in the North as well as in London.” QUOTA QUESTION MR. FORBES’ COMMENT GOODWILL OF BRITAIN [ Per Press Association. J AUCKLAND, Feb. 9. The Prime Minister, Hon. G. W Forbes, referred to the quota questioj at the Royal Show. “So much depends upon the goodwill of Britain/ said Mr. Forbes, “that would it not be worth while to have a look at the matter. No doubt we feel that a quota would be a disastrous thing for a young country like Now Zealand. I hopu the rise in tho market will continue and do away with the agitation for tho quota, yet I think it would be wise to give some heed to the requests and complaints made by the British farmers, bearing in mind that at the end of 1935 we have got to have a renewal of the Ottawa agreement.”