BEEF TRADE

Northern Advocate, 10 April 1922, Page 5

BEEF TRADE

AUSTRALIAN SUBSIDY. AN EXPERT'S VIEWS. LONDON, April 7. In an interview with the Australian Press Association, Mr J. Elder said that he was glad too see. the Commonwealth. Government taking an active interest in the position of thd beef trade. se~ hopes that the Government's welcome offer of a farthing per pound subsidy will quickly have effective results, otherwise it would be too late for this season. The best propaganda the Meat* Board could follow consisted of cheaper production of cattle, lower freezing costs, cheaper ocean transport, improved quality, and better dressing. Australian beef was in competition with the world, and must stand or fall on its merits; mere boosting was of no avail. The Meat Board should support the endeavour being made in London to get the authorities to accept the recommendations of the Bridgeman report, which would afford much needed and the only effective protection to Australian meat imports. The Commonwealth Government should,assist in direction. Argentine chilled beef shipments had been recently reduced. Doubtless the losses had been, too' heavy, owing to the imports into London being 1 greatly in excess of the normal consumption, and sold below cost. It wa» possible that a price war in„the' shapo of dumping might recur. Meantime the/ consumption of frozen beef had benefited and prices were hardening. It was impossible to forecast the the market, as it was entirely dominated by foreign .interests. Argentine meat importers decided to combine to restrict imports.—A. andt N.Z.