PRIMARY PRODUCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1941, Page 3

PRIMARY PRODUCE

EXPORTABLE SURPLUS AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN. ALTERNATIVE MARKETS TO BE DEVELOPED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Details of the agreement which has been reached between the United Kingdom Government and the Governments of Australia and New Zealand concerning the purchase of exportable surplus products for the war period were announced last night by the ActingPrime Minister, Mr Nash, on behalf of the New Zealand Government. Simultaneous announcements about the agreement were made in Australia and the United Kingdom. The agreement states that the British Government fully recognises the grave difficulties created for New Zealand industries by shortage of shipping, and that it is anxious to continue taking all New Zealand produce that can be shipped. Payment is to be made for produce that can be shipped at prices and on terms and conditions as are from time to time agreed to with the Ministry of Food. Alternative markets are to be developed wherever possible. The financial burden of acquiring and holding reserve stocks pending their disposal is to be shared equally between the two Governments. Mr Nash, who explained that wool was outside the “surplus” clauses, said it might be argued that there was some uncertainty in the agreement because the purchase of butter and meat depended on ability to ship, but the Government was assured that everything possible would be done to lift our production.