Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1936. BEEF FOR BRITAIN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 99, 7 February 1936, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1936. BEEF FOR BRITAIN.

The agreement that is reported to have been reached regarding shipments of frozen beef to Britain- up to June 30 next —an announcement regarding which is to be made shortly by the various Governments interested will end the concern that has been expressed in New Zealand and in Australia recently at the delay in dealing with this important question. It was expected that the agreement would cover the first quarter of the current calendar year only, but the extension of the period places the matter on a more satisfactory basis, though not such as exporters in this country would like. In the negotiations in London last May and June, Mr Coates was able to conclude an advantageous agreement with respect to mutton and lamb, which operates until the end of this year. To reconcile the conflicting interests of importers and British producers with respect to beef, veal, bacon and pork proved more difficult, the resulting agreement being for six months only, that is, up to December 31 last. So far New Zealand has not been incommoded in keeping within the quantities fixed and if, as is reasonably expected, the extension is on the same quantitative basis as hitherto, the immediate future of this branch of the meat trade should be assured. But while it is satisfactory that the new arrangement deals with a longer period than was anticipated, producers and traders have a good case for objecting to , short-term agreements, under which they cannot plan ahead satisfactorily. It takes years to mature beef. Herds will not be built up nor piggeries be organised with the same confidence while markets are subject to quotas fixed quarterly or half-yearly. In the interests of her own agriculturists Britain is as anxious as the Dominions to work to some more permanent arrangement but her hands are tied by the trade agreements concluded with foreign producers by Mr Runciman. The most important of these, that with the Argentine, will not expire until next November. By that time, Britain has hopes, the approaching end of the Ottawa agreements will enable her to deaf with the whole question, of food imports, making them subject to a uniform policy. The British Government’s ideas on the subject have been considerably modified in the last year. The prosperity of British farmers is still a major object, but is to be sought through increased consumption at prices the mass of the people can afford to pay. The next twelve months will therefore be of vital importance to the whole frozen meat industry in New Zealand and the Dominion Government should lose no time in formulating the policy it intends to pursue when the negotiations for a permanent agreement are opened.