MEAT SHIPMENTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 246, 25 July 1940, Page 2

MEAT SHIPMENTS

THE QUESTION OF SECURITY.

MINISTER EXPLAINS POSITION. I. . * (Per jPress Association). WELLINGTON, July 24. When the House of Representatives reached the' Meat Industry Account vote of £39,223 this afternoon, Mr F. W. Doidge (National, Tauranga), speaking of the item of £30,000 for the Meat Producers’ Board, said that a statement made by Mr T. A. Duncan (chairman of the Board) at Cambridge yesterday was likely to lead producers to the conclusion that there was a great deal of insecurity about, shipments overseas. Could the Minister give any reassurance?

The Hon. W. Nash: I can only say that negotiations are in progress with the British Government. That is all.

Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Ind., Egmont) said that at present there seemed to bo some confusion amongst farmers as to the Government’s requirements for the production of meat and as to Avhat the farmers were expected to do. There was urgent necessity for the Minister to announce a clear-cut policy in the matter.

Mr W. J. Poison (National, Stratford) said he considered a good deal of confusion had arisen as a result of different people throughout the country speaking from their own different < points of view. He instanced the reported statement by Mr T. A. Duncan . j Mr Nash: I have been in touch with Mr Duncan and he says he did not say anything like what he is reported to have said at Cambridge.

Mr Poison: “That is most satisfao tory.” He added that farmers would appreciate it if the Minister would indicate what primary products were most urgently required during the next two or three years. Mr Nash indicated that such questions as had been asked tended to handicap the Government rather than assist it. Negotiations; were at present being carried out concerning production, lie said. He reiterated with regard to the report of Mr Duncan’s statement that Mr Duncan had not said anything like what had been attributed to him. The whole position with regard to the country’s requirements during the war period altered from day to day. The Government was doing its utmost to meet Britain’s requirements, and at the present time negotiations were in progress between the British and New Zealand Governments regarding the supply of butter and cheese to the home country. The British Government would say: “Let us finish the negotiations on butter and cheese and then we will discuss meat.” The New Zealand Government had told farmers a month ago to go on producing in the ordinary way. I desired to have produced in the Dominion'the maximum quantity of foodstuffs which were required in the United Kingdom, and the statement issued a month ago still stood. Britain had agreed to take the Dominion’s wool clip for the war period and the next clip thereafter. She would probably take our butter and cheese for the duration of the Avar, subject to negotiations regarding the price in May of each year, and she also might do the same in regard to meat. The vote Avas passed.