"DEAD AS MUTTON"

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 126, 9 March 1935, Page 5

"DEAD AS MUTTON"

THE LEVY ON MEAT. GENERAL FEELING IN BRITAIN. ADAMANT ON RESTRICTION. ■-'.'■'.'. ■■■ -i ••.''• • DRASTIC MEASURE PREDICTED. MINISTERS STUDYING REPLIES. (United Press Associations-Copyright) (Received This Day,' 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, March 8. New Zealand's rejection of the levy on imports of meat into Britain, closely followed Dr. Earle Page's reply, has caused a widespread feeling that a levy is "as dead as mutton." Ministers are reserving their considered. opinion pending examination of ' the replies, but regarding restriction Government quarters are adamant, repeating more emphatically that they stand by the White Paper as plainly stating them policy. If the Dominions decline the levy, the alternative is drastic restriction, which Britain would enforce on July 1. CATTLE INDUSTRY EMERGENCY; TERM OF BILL 'EXTENDED. (Received This Day, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, March 8. .In the House of Commons, the Minister of 'Agriculture (Mr W. E Elliot) * moving the second reading of the Cattle Industry Emergency Provisions Bill explained it was an interim measure extending for three months the Bill passed. in. July. A question of such importance to the Dominions and overseas countries must be exhaustively examined before action was taken. The best method of dealing with the situation was a short extension of present arrangements. ' "We are acting for the benefit of all concerned," said Mr Elliot, "and the interests of overseas suppliers are being meticulously considered. The Government does not propose to alter the ( provisions of the Bill." Mr Elliot added that the necessity for full consideration and avoidance of hasty"action was evidenced by the.fact that even after long discussipns, with representatives of the .Dominions, a misunderstanding arose in one case. This did not lead to serious consequences and had been cleared up, but until Mr Lyons arrived it would be impossible to contihiue detailed discussion of the long-term policy. Dr. Addison (Labour) moving • the rejection of the Bill said there was nothing in the Bill to show that the producer would get the money he was intended to get, nothing to increase he consumers' purchasing power, or no benefits to pass on to the agricultural labourer. •, The Bill was read a second time by 120 votes to 23.

QUEENSLAND'S VIEWPOINT. TRAGIC POSITION FROM-LEVY. (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) BRISBANE, This Day. The Minister of Agriculture (Mr . Bulcock) said that the levy of a halt- ' penny a pound on Empire meats would create a tragic position for the cattlement of Australia,