IMPORT RESTRICTION ORDER?

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20729, 13 February 1939, Page 6

IMPORT RESTRICTION ORDER?

While it is yet too soon to anticipate the final results of the discussions in Britain regarding imports of mutton and lamb from the Dominions, it is evident that the imposition of restrictions is being considered seriously. The London Labour newspaper declares that the new British Minister of Agriculture, Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith, intends to issue a restriction order over the heads of the Dominions’ representatives because he sees no hope of voluntary agreement on the regulation of supplies. The paper alleges that Australia and New Zealand are charging Britain with a flagrant breach of the Ottawa Agreement. If a restriction order is issued in the near future it will represent a marked change in the attitude of the British Government. Indeed, recent statements by Mr Neville Chamberlain indicated that opinion was drifting the other way. It is true, however, that Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith, known to be a strong advocate of greater protection for British farmers, was only recently appointed to the Cabinet. It must also be remembered that restriction or selection of imports is fashionable. It is not improbable that New Zealand’s own import restrictions have had some influence on the British mind. When all is said and done the imposition of a restriction or quota on produce from New Zealand will affect the Dominion according to the limits set. It may be that the restriction, if imposed, will permit the continuation of the present volume of exports to Britain but will set a limit to the expansion of primary production in New Zealand. In the meantime production is not expanding, and unless the limit is severe, it may be some time before the effect is felt seriously. But there is the additional fear that restrictoin may be applied also to dairy produce, which might be still more serious. Any such restrictions are undesirable in the eyes of New Zealand producers, and it is to be hoped that the negotiators in London will yet find it possible to avoid the issuing of an order. Expanding markets are essential to the Dominion’s continued progress, and artificial barriers to the flow of trade are already far too numerous.