LEVY ON BEEF

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 110, 19 February 1935, Page 5

LEVY ON BEEF

SUPPLIES FOR BRITAIN ACCEPTANCE BY NEW ZEALAND, NOT ON MUTTON AND LAMB. VERY HEAVY IMPOST LIKELY. OTHERS AGREE 70 ALL LEVIES'. iDnited Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, February 18. The "Sun-Herald" says it is understood that Canada, South Africa and Southern Rhodesia haye advised the British Government ' of their willingness to accept a levy on all meat. New Zealand accepts a levy on beef, but not on mutton and lamb, which will necessitate a very heavy levy on beef because mutton and lamb, produce revenue. This might not be acceptable to Australia.

the Home-grown product.

RELATION TO THE DOMINIONS. CONVERGING POLICIES NEEDED (Received This. Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, February 18. "The Times" says that conditions in the meat market are such that prices for Home-grown beef are bound to sink unless conditions can be improved. In England and Wales beef accounts for 35 per cent, of the total agricultural production, and in Scotland for 54 per cent. Mr S. M. Briice (High Commissioner, for Australia), speaking at the world conference, said it is a confession of bankruptcy in statesmanship to restrict consumption when so many have their needs unsatisfied, but it is for both Britain and the Dominions ii prices of agricultural products are allowed to collapse below the cost of production. During the discussions with Mr J. A. Lyons and other Dominion Prime Ministers in the spring, coherent, converging policies must be framed, reconciling restoration of British Agriculture and Home market for British goods, with the development of the Dominions and for the interests of British exports.

THE POSITION OF NEW ZEALAND. CONSIDERATION BY CABINET. WELLINGTON, .February 18. A special meeting of the Meat Board will be held in Wellington to-morrow. It is understood that it has been called to consider the British proposals for a meat restriction agreement, and it is expected that members of the board will also confer with Cabinet. It is expected that attention will first be aiven to proposals for the extension of the current three, months' agreement until March 31, with possible alterations of the allocations of various classes of meat now operating. The most important business, however, will be the discussion of Britain s proposals for a long-term agreement to have a currency, it is understood, oi 18 months from the end of June Inquiries show that that Cabinet has not vet reached a basis.for its reply to the British plan, and negotiations in any event are still in the informal staaes. It is emphasised that what may suit Australia will not suit New Zealand, and an endeavour to convert taxation on New Zealand meat into a subsidy for British farmers is likely to be resisted, as opposed to the spirit of the Ottawa agreement, It is thought that the effect of the duty on New Zealand beef is the subject giving the Government most concern at the momen*. If Mr Forbes goes to England to attend'the King's jubilee he wil probably also confer with the British Gov. eminent on the meat question In that case it is "possible that he will lie accompanied by a staff of experts and that arrangements will have to be made for the closest consultation beZel him and New Zealand interest while negotiations are in progress in London.