NOT MUCH SCOPE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 596, 29 July 1933, Page 5

NOT MUCH SCOPE

(Press Assn.-

POSSIBILITIES OF AMERICAN TRADE NOT VERY FAVOURABLE OPINION OF MERCHANTS

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

Auckland, Friday. * There .is no feeling of optimism among produce exporters in Auckland concerning Hon. G. W. Forbes' forthcoming visit to Washington. One pointed out that the wholesale price of butter in New York yesterday was ls per 1b. The duties amounted to 7d and 2d must he allowed for cost of placing the butter on the market. London buyers to-day are offering 9^d. Even if the Amerioan tariff were abolished it would be difficult for New Zealand to sell butter there. Mr. Roosevelt's aim was to increase internal price-levels and a large quantity of New Zealand butter would lower prices. In the case of Canada the increase in wheat and wool prices would he followed hy a certain amount of change-over from dairying, which later would enable more New Zealand produce to be sold, hut the total would be only a small percentage of our production. Another exporter said that Mr. Forbes might as well stay in London If he obtained any concession in Washington he would have to pay dearly for it. The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Turner, said any agreement arrived at .must be dccisively in New Zealand's favour, because the present balance of trade was heavily in America's favour and must also be detrimental to our trade with Britain. Unless the agreement was very , much in New Zealands advantage and not to Britain's disadvantage the move would not be worth attempting.