QUOTA TOO HIGH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 262, 4 November 1932, Page 7

QUOTA TOO HIGH.

Home Producer Urges Reduction And Tax. CRITICAL STATE OF FARMING. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 3. The Farmers' Union welcomes the Government's foreign meat quota proposal and urges immediate action and greater reductions of imports^

The union has informed the Minister of Agriculture, Major W. E. Elliot, that the net decrease in imports by June, 1934, will be only 22,300 tons, but should be 100,000 tons. It is urged that the reduction should be as follows:—

November and December, 20 per cent; January to March, 1933, 30 per cent; April to June, 35 per cent; July to September, 40 per cent; October to December, 50 p'er cent; January to March, 1934, 50 per cent; April to June, 50 per cent.

The union seeks a concurrent reduction of o per cent in imports of chilled beef and the temporary prohibition of imports of all Irish Free State livestock.

The critical state of British agriculture is held to justify the demand for a meat tax and the lowering of the Ottawa quota on foreign meat by an agricultural group representing 300 Conservative members of the House of Commons. New Zealand Mutton 2d per lb. "The Sun" learns that Australian meat interests emphatically protest against the attempts to raise tariffs against the Empire and contend that this is precluded by the Ottawa agreements. Tariffs alone cannot raise prices, which are at present at bankruptcy levels.

Home-grown beef is 5d per lb, the lowest, in living memory, while New Zealand mutton at 2d, scarcely pays the cost of shipment.

The "Daily Telegraph" political writer, however, states that the Government has decided not, in any circumstances, to ask Parliament to agree to tax meat imports. He adds that a meat tax is not feasible, but the Government should be encouraged to come to arrangements with New Zealand, Australia and Argentina for a temporary immediate restriction of imports.

The Cabinet has discussed at length the question of relief for the farming industry and fully realises the gravity of the position of the livestock industry. Ministers are considering the possibility of securing a restriction of meat imports voluntarily, which is a matter to be discussed with the Dominions.

Agriculturicts are insistent that nothing will meet the case but an immediate duty of 4d a lb on all imported meat, with a preference of 2d. Bill Passes Committee Stage. In the committee stage of the Ottawa Agreements Bill in the House of Commons, Major C. R. Attlee (Lab., Liniehouse), moved a new clause declaring that Britain would not require the Dominions' consent if she desired to remove the duties on foreign goods. He said the bill at present denied the sovereignty of Parliament and subjected Britain's fiscal policy to the Dominions.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. L. Hore-Belislia, said there was nothing in the Ottawa agreements which took away Parliament's legal right to reduce the duties at any time. The Act could be repealed by any Parliament. If Sir Herbert Samuel were returned with a majority he would, be entitled to remove the duties. All the Government had said was that while in law nothing could bind Parliament for a fixeu period the Government would use all its authority to see that the British signatures to the agreement were honoured. r The bill passed the committee stage and the House adjourned.