THE BRITISH PLAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 126, 9 March 1935, Page 3

THE BRITISH PLAN.

PROPOSAL FOR LEVY. ALTERNATIVE TO DRASTIC REDUCTIONS. WELLINGTON, March 8. The imposition of a levy as an alternative to drastic reductions m Britain’s meat imports is suggested n< , the British Government’s statement oi its long-term policy, and it is this proposal that the Dominions and the Argentine have been asked to consider. The British White Paper sums up the situation as follows: — , . (1) It is the firm intention of Ins Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom to safeguard the position oi the 'United Kingdom live stock industry. (2) Having regard to the terms of the Ottawa and Argentine Agreements, the only practicable means at present available to them for this purpose is a drastic reduction of the import oi meat into the. United Kingdom from all sources. (3) If, however, the consent ol the Dominions concerned, of . Southern Rhodesia and of Argentina can be obtained to necessary variation of thenrespective agreements, it would he possible to deal with the situation by the imposition of a levy upon the import of meat into the United Kingdom with or without x measure of supply regulation. ' _ . (4) The policy which his Majesty s Government in Ihe United Kingdom desire to bring into operation as soon as they are in a position to do so is to assist the United Kingdom live stock industry, according to the needs of the market, from the proceeds of a levy on imports (with a preference to {he Dominions), overseas producers being left Free to regulate their own exports to this market themselves.

Levy Proposed. .(5) The question therefore arises whether, with the consent of the Governments concerned, a levy should be imposed upon imports forthwith as an alternative to drastic reduction of imports which would otherwise be necessary. (6) If so, the following further question arises:—(a) Whether all import regulations should cease as from the date on which the levy comes into operation, or whether there should be a transitional period, after the imposition of the levy, during which a moderate degree of import regulations would be maintained; (b) whether the levy should be imposed on all meat, or only upon beef, veal and live cattle, bearing .in mind that in the latter case a higher rate of levy may be necessary than if the levy were applied over the whole field of imported meat, and that it would also be necessary to ensure that imports of lamb, mutton and pork are adeqrately controlled.