QUOTA ON MUTTON

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20734, 18 February 1939, Page 8

QUOTA ON MUTTON

COMMENT BY MR POLSON “NOT IN RETALIATION” CO-OPERATION WITH BRITAIN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON. Saturday “The announcement of the reduction of the meat export quotas should cause every New Zealander to think deeply,” said Mr W. J. 'Poison, president of the New Zealand Primary and Ancillary Industries Producers’ Council in an interview- “Everything predicted by the British delegation to the Empire Producers’ Council in Sydney has come true and it is now quite evident that Sir Reginald DormanSmith’s statement at that time expressed the views of the British Government.

“The British delegation then agreed that if the Dominions consented to cooperate in the commodity council’s scheme to regulate shipments, the British farmers would do their utmost to avoid restrictions on Dominion produce. The Dominions failed to grasp their opportunity and it may now be too late.

“The New Zealand delegation at Sydney scored a great victory in obtaining a scheme where restrictions were not envisaged by the British delegates and obtained a great moral advantage for New Zealand in the offer of a separate commodity council for mutton and lamb,” added Mr Poison. Advantage Not Followed Up “This advantage should have been followed up and it may not be too late yet to obtain it.” In his opinion Now Zealand should endeavour to work in with the new Minister of Agriculture (Sir It. DormanSmith) since lie had gi\en his word in that case that he would try to avoid restrictions. Mr Poison said he was sure the new restrictions were not in retaliation for the import control but as a result, of New Zealand’s failure to take suitable steps when the British Governnioiii. li.nLed .n the broadest possible manner, that it considered it necessary to preserve the stability, not only of the British farmers, but of Empire agriculture.