The Waikato Times SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1933. DOMINION EXPORTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19125, 9 December 1933, Page 4

The Waikato Times SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1933. DOMINION EXPORTS.

The endeavours which are being made in Britain by Mr W. E. Elliot, the Minister.of Agriculture, to restrict the importations of Dominion produce are apparently not supported by all sections of the public. Two influential newspapers have taken up the case of the Dominions and uttered a plea for better treatment of Empire members. At the same time Mr Elliot commands a large following, and the success of his application of the quota to bacon and pork has encouraged him to proceed further on the same lines.

As is stated by the Evening Standard the trade treaties recently concluded with Argentina and Denmark, respectively, have not given entire satisfaction in Britain. Some resentment is felt at the continued propoganda against the alleged heavy imports of Dominion produce, despite the fact that Denmark is sending more butter into Britain than any other producing country in the world. Yet, notwithstanding their smaller population) the Dominions are greater purchasers of British goods.

Upon these facts the British public is invited to judge for itself the merits of the claim for reduction of Dominion imports. The course of events in Britain during the past twelve months has shown that so far as Mr Elliot, at any rate, is concerned the prospects of Dominion preference are slight. His eagerness to build around him a monument of successfully concluded trade agreements with foreign nations has been amply demonstrated. But it must be remembered that his adherence to artificial methods of raising the prices of the British workingman’s commodities is taking him into perilous waters.

So far as the British consumer is concerned, the chief aim is an abundant supply of produce at reasonable cost. Restrictive action to raise these costs for the-benefit of the relatively small farming community can only engender a storm of protest. New Zealand and Australia have demonstrated their ability to produce butter and cheese which after travelling some 14,000 miles can still be sold cheaply on the British market. Yet there are no conditions of sweated labour in these Dominions, and the British consumer is naturally led to the inference that there is something radically wrong if the British producer cannot compete with these prices.

It is hinted that the efforts to reduce dairy exports may yet be successful. It is extremely doubtful, however, whether such a policy will come into operation without causing serious repercussions in Britain. In the absence of any pretence at Empire preference, it is at least to be expected that there should be a meticulous assessment of the reciprocal value of the British export trade to the foreign and Empire producing countries.