FOR PISS 28NOV 196
1._ 94F^ P. M. No. 127/ lo67.
TASi-fIAN APPLE AI\ N FEAR IN. BUSTRY
Exchange of Telegrans between the Prime Minister and
the Premier of Tasmania
Following are texts of telegrams exchanged between the Prime
Minister, i* r. Holt, and the Premier of Tasmania, IMr. Reece, regarding
the impact on the apple and pear industry of the British devaluation:-
Telegram to Prime Minister fro Mr. Reece date. d 22nd Noiemn
" Strongly request that you arrange discussions in Canberra if
desired to per;, ni my Government and State fruit Board to ; make
submissions concerning serious effect of British devaluation and
suggested increase in overseas shipping freights on Tasmanian apple
and pear industry. Also seek clarity on press statement of Mr.
Anthony of 13th November that relief for growers of fruit held in
Suez Canal be first looked into by State Government as I un'. erstand
all relevant Tasmanian information has already been furnished by
representatives of the industry."
Telegram to Mr. eece froPrime I. nister dated 24. November
" Reference your telep. ram 22nd November concerning possible
impact on Tasmanian Apple and Pear InCustry of devaluation of
Pound Sterling and proposed increase in overseas shipping freights.
In my announcement earlier this week of the Government's
decision to maintain the existing value of Australian dollar, I said
that we were arranging for an urgent examination of areas of industry
likely to be adversely affected by the Government's decision. As
part of this examination, my colleague, the Minister for Primary
Industry, has sought information from the Australian Apple and Pear
Board of the full implications of the effects of the British
devaluation on the apple and pear industry. It is considered . that
the Board would, in the first instance, be in the best position to
assess these implications.
Regarding the suggested increase in overseas shipping
freights, I understand that, while the proposal is that the
sterling rate be increased, the payments in Australian currency to
meet the adjusted freight rates should be lower. I am informed
that there should, in fact, be a decrease in freight paid by
Australian exporters to the United ' ingdom. and the Continent., The
actual extent of any freight movement will be dete rined in
negotiations with the Australian shipper body in this trade on
which the Australian Apple and Pear Board is represented.
You referred to a recent oress statement by the Minister
for Primary Industry concerning Australian apples and pears held
in the Suez Canal. My colleague' 3 statement of 1lth November
made reference to the difficulty of ascertaining identity of and
extent to which individual growers are actually experiencing hardship.
Information needs to be collected from all States for this
ourpose. Tasmanian information has been received from State Fruit
board thro gh Apple and Pear Board. All Tasmanian growers wiith
fruit in the Canal are listed but I should point out that it is
not possible to dissect from it precisely which cases are hardship
cases. As an illustration, one grower listed has six cases in the
Canal out of a total season's shipment of nearly seven thousand
cases but the State Board has given no comment as to whether this
case ( or several similar ones) is to be considered a hardship case
or not. The Minister's statement also pointed out that if it is
established that some growers whose fruit is involved are
experiencing financial difficulties the provision of relief for
them is a matter that would normally be looked into by the State
Governments concerned in the first instance."
CANBERRA 24th November, 1967: