A DISAPPOINTED MAN.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19100, 10 November 1933, Page 6

A DISAPPOINTED MAN.

VISIT OF MR T. BAXTER.

ENGLISH DELEGATE ASCAILED. TRENCHANT REPLY TO CRITICISM. Trencnant criticism of the opinions of Mr T. Baxter, ohalrman of the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales, on the subjoct of New Zealand dairy produce, was expressed to-day by Mr C. J. Parlane, general manager of the New Zealand Cooperative Dairy Company, Ltd. Interviewed by a Waikato Times representative, Mr Parlane said that the remarks made by Mr Baxter, appearing In yesterday’s cable news, led one to the conclusion that he had returned to England a very disappointed man.

Just by what process of reasoning Mr Baxter arrived at the conclusion that In about ten days he could persuade the farmers of New Zealand to ease up on their production of cheese was a little difficult to say, remarked Mr Parlane, but the plain faot was that from New Zealand’s point of view, Mr Baxter was quite unable to put up what could be regarded as a sound argument In favour of restriction.

Originally, the dairy industry was asked to accept a general quota on dairy produce shipped to the United Kingdom, but in the hope, no doubt, of making some progress and driving in the thin end of the wedge, Mr Baxter’s request was for a quota on cheese exports only, this being regarded as even more unreasonable than the original request.

Whilst Mr Baxter claimed that a reduction in the quantity of butter and cheese exported to England would have the effect of raising the price 'level, he was not prepared to give any definite assurance that this would be a permanent result, and it would appear that as New Zealand was the only Empire country approached and asked to agree to a quota, some definite assurance in regard to prices should have been forthcoming.

The Saturation Point. Mr Parlane said that Mr Baxter frequently stated that England had reached saturation point insofar as the consumption of butter was concerned, but when questioned olosely In this regard, he admitted that margarine was still being sold In substantial quantities. It was obvious, therefore, that any Increase In the prloe of butter due to a quota would be distinctly helpful to the margarine people—lndeed, It was easily possible that they would obtain a greater advantage than the British farmer.,

“Mr Baxter’s comment that New Zealanders came to meet him In American cars Is Just a little unfortunate,’’ remarked Mr Parlane.

“As far as the Waikato was concerned, Mr Baxter arrived at Frankton from Wellington, and was met with an English oar. He travelled In this through the Tlrau, Taupo and Rotorua districts, and finally to Taranaki, where, I understand, he was met with another English car, so just at what point he was met with an American car I really do not know, but whilst here, he volunteered the Information that he himself drove a ‘Bulck.’”

“ However, little tilts of this nature are not in any way helpful in finding a solution of our present difficulties. “New Zealand is a loyal British country, and as such has a prior right to consideration over her foreign competitor, and In consequence, the latter should be the first approached in regard to quotas, should these ultimately become necessary,’’ concluded Mr Parlane.

QUESTION IN HOUSE. FALSE IMPRESSION CORRECTED DOMINION AND BRITISH CARS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday In the House of Representatives today Mr. E. F. Healy (Government — Wairau) asked the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, whether he would take steps to' correct the false impression created by Mr. T. Baxter, chairman of the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales, that New Zealanders used chiefly American cars.

Mr. Forbes said It was quite clear that Mr. Baxter had made a geno’-jl statement which was not borne out hy facts. Of late years British manufacturers had met the special requirements of Dominion usage, and the customs returns showed that since then British-made cars had been purchased in Increasing numbers. They now formed a large percentage of the total number of cars imported. The Prime Minister added that in the first nine months of 1933 cars imported from the United Kingdom totalled 1404, compared with 36 from foreign sources.