MR. BAXTER'S VISIT

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 102, 27 October 1933, Page 2

MR. BAXTER'S VISIT

CLAIMS ON HOME MARKET

In -view of recent statements regarding the purpose and possible outcome of Mr. Thomas Easter's visit to New Zealand and his discussion? on the "dairy produce quota, special interest' attaches to the correspondence which passed between Mr. Forbes and Mr. B, J. Gates, president of the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales.' Tha appended extracts were published re* cently in "Tho Times":— '■ Mr. Forbes, writing to Mr. Gates out August 1, said:—"We feel'that . a round the table discussion would bQ most helpful in enabling the New Zealand farmer to fully understand tha difficulties of tho British farmer brought about by tho low pices of dairy; produce ruling in tho London market, duo to its glutted condition. And also it would enable tho British representatives to understand the seriousness of the New Zealand farmer's position if prevented from disposing of his full measuro of production. The problem is a serious one, and warrants the; fullest investigation before action thati may havo disastrous " effects is taken* Our farmers have always raadti it quite clear that they are fully hi accord with, the principle enunciated" at Ottawa; that is to say, Britain -first,. Dominions second, and foreign; third, and va-dis-cussion- so as-to have, that .principle applied to ' the -marketing, of j>roduce would bo very helpful and -would -no doubt go a long way towards arriving at a solution of a very difficult problem. It is, as wo understand it, ia keoping with the spirit of the Ottawa Agreement that if .difficulties; arisa there should be a frank and free' discussion between the interests concerned, and an arrangement of the kind suggested would bo only giving effect t» tliat spirit." , . Mr. Gates replied on August.4:—"Wa view with dismay the prospect that'tha Dominions may feel unable to agree to any proposals for regulating the supplies which they export to our market; even pending a return to better times and even though the basis gave them a further preference over foreign countries. We confess that we have, some difficulty in reconciling that attitude with tho view, which we understood oui" brother-farmers in the Dominions fully; shared, that producers here are 'entitled to .first claim on their own home market. Such a decision would have tho gravest consequences for the farmers of the Mother Country, for 90 per cent, of our cheese imports come from Dominion sources. I do not hesitate ; to'say that iti would mean that our milk marketing scheme would be. foredoomed to failure. Bad as is the plight of our dairy farmers today, it would rapidly become worse, and the reactions upon other sorely stricken: branches of our industry would be appalling to contemplate. Thousands would 'go under' long before our Government resumed its freedom of action under the Ottawa Agreements to give* the homo dairy farmer adequate pr< teetion. Whether such an eventuality] would benefit the real interests of iNew Zealand farmers either in- the months that lie immediately ahead or two years hence, it is not for me to say; you caa judge, probably, better than I. Frankly, then, we earnestly beg of. you to impress upon your Government that tha call is for immediate action in the common interests of producers, both iv tho Dominions and in this country. . Mr. Forbes telegraphed the follow-! ing reply to Mr. Gates on August 7:-— "Thank you for letter received on' Aquitania, Whilst appreciating youi' desire to have question dealt with urgently would point out that to givo effect to suggestion would not cause any further delay than at-present as final settlement of matter would still require to remain over until we return to the Dominion and consult with farmers whose co-operation essential in anyj decision nrnved- at. In fact am firmly convinced that consideration of matter will bo facilitated by having representative of the United Kingdom farmers on the spot to explain more fully how they affected by import of dairy produce and reasons for pro* posals for quantitative regulations. For reasons stated am convinced of tha usefulness of your sending representative and gratified at learning that union prepared to send Mt. Baxter, who will be cordially welcomed by New Zealand farmers as well as by the Government." ___^_^_^__