HAS FAILED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 283, 30 November 1933, Page 7

HAS FAILED.

BEEF IMPORT. QUOTA. Restriction Not Followed By Rise in Prices. "LEVY ONLY ALTERNATIVE." [United I'.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 31.30 a.m.) , LONDON, November 29. i A levy on imported beef, roughly equal to the deficiency in payment necessary to ensure the home producer a fair price for his meat, was suggested by the Standing Committee on Beef to the Council of Agriculture. The committee points out that the restriction of imports has not achieved a rise in prices, and expresses the opinion that.tariffs are not practicable under existing agreements. Further, they would / not be effective owing to large imports of Canadian live stock and Australian and New Zealand beef which are duty free. Therefore, a levy is the best alternative.

A message yesterday stated that the National Farmers' Union had asked the Government to seek an understanding with the Dominions as to the quantitative regulation of imports to Britain of cheese and other dairy produce. The union suggested that this be carried out by the immediate introduction of legislation to compel importers of miik products to pay a levy, the proceeds to be used to form a fund to compensate British dairy farmers. At the Empire Society's luncheon Mr. Thomas Baxter, representative of the National Farmers' Union, who visited New Zealand recently, gave an interesting description of his discussions with dairy farmers in the Dominion. He said he was quite sure that until some regulation of dairy produce was adopted, and the insane practie oof throwing Dominion and foreign produce on to the British market was stopped, there could be no rise in prices. Consequently, said Mr. Baxter, he lioped soon to have some co-operation between the Dominion farmers and the British.