BRITAIN’S REVENUE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1933, Page 5

BRITAIN’S REVENUE

FROM NEW ZEALAND

STATEMENT BY MR R. MASTERS. (United Press Association—By Electric . Tejegrapfi— Copyright.t LONDON, July 26. Messrs Forbes and Masters, and Sir T, Wilford to-day accepted the invitation of Goodwin’s through Mr Turner, the London manager of the Fruit Board, to attend an auction of New Zealand apples. Mr Masters and Sir T. Wilford afterwards were entertained at luncheon, Mr Forbes having' other appointments. Responding to the toast of his health, Mr Masters stressed the value of the personal touch with the marketing of produce j in Britain. Ho was pleased to see J tlie price paid for New Zealand apples j was higher than for others, but even that figure, when costs, freight, insur- j a nee, etc., were deducted, made him

feel rather sorry for the producer. He was pleased also to know that the control of New Zealand’s fruit export was in such manifestly capable hands, especially in regard to supplying the market with the most acceptable varieties,.

Mr Masters said he would like to reply to some recent criticisms. New Zealand, for instance, had been charg- ; ed with sending subsidised produce to j England. This was not correct, though in the case of supplies, the Government had given a guarantee to tho fruitgrowers for a certain return per case. If that had not been done it would have been very difficult for the growers to set up in business and to receive advances from the banks. The cost of the Government had been small because the fruit brought a reasonable price. He added: “New Zealand docs not like the idea of the quota, as applied to our produce. (Applause.) We are a young country, in the midst of development. "We have tremendous responsibilities regarding the money we have borrowed fop that developj ment from Britian. If, as a young country, we are told that we must stand still, then the position will be very serious for the Dominion, equally as it will be for the other Dominions. When I add that New Zealand, with a population of only one and a half j millions, has purchased from Britain I over thirty million pounds worth more | of manufactures in five years than ■ Denmark; fifty million pounds worth more than Russia; forty-two million 'pounds worth, more than Japan; and twenty-six million pounds worth more than China, you will realise that the trade position between Britain and the Dominion deserves some recognition,”

He said that a member of the House

of Commons had said that the Dominions should buy more imports from Britain, but New Zealand, with her liberal tariff preferences to Britain, and her free entry for a large proportion of British goods, was doing its utmost to consolidate the trade with the Mother Country. For instance, in 1931 New Zealand imported goods valued at twenty four millions sterling, which twelve millions came from Britain, and five millions from other .Empire countries; while the total amount of the foreign imports was only seven millions. But they must also remember that over six millions of the outside trade was for goods that Britain could not supply. There was still a great number of articles left which Britain could sell to New Zealand, cn which she had a preference of ten to twenty-five per cent. —such, for instance, as wireless sets and tractors.

“There is no justification in saying that New Zealard should do more trading with Britain,” he said. “In addition to our purchases, we have to find six millions annually in respect of interest on our national leans, two milions for our local bodies’ interest: another million for dividends and private investments; and at least five millions on inward freights, so that, practically, ninety per cent of the money that we have received for our produce in Britain goes back to her! “If a restriction output is forced on ns, where will the other countries buying much, less proportionately from Britain, come in?” Mr Masters concluded. “The Conference may not have been the success that all could have wished, but the contact which Mr Forbes himself has made in respect of New Zealand’s business and marketing affairs in London and in dealing with acute marketing problems in these difficult tinier has alone made the visit worth while.”

QUOTAS AND NEW ZEALAND

LONDON. July 26

The Tlon. R. Masters, N.X. Minister speaking at Spitnlfiolds at a luncheon on the occasion of the first auction

there for some weeks of New Zealand apples and rears, referred to the matter of quotas. New Zealand, ho said, felt the imposition of quotas on a young developing country like theirs would create great hardship, in view of 'their heavy obligations for loans to Britain. “If quotas have to be imposed. Now. Zealand feels there should first bo more substantial quotas imposed on foreign countries supnlving tlu> British market. Half New Zealand’s imports come from Britain

r>„| .••••other quuiii'r fr ni the rest cf the Empire.” Tie..added: “'Having disclosed facts T feel in go ml form to m ‘t Major Elliot to discuss quotas.” (Laughter).

Sir T. M. Milford painted out that while New Zealard in 1929 was able to pa • interest, to Britain, with the proceeds of the woo], it new required ike proceeds of all the wool and half the butter.