MEAT QUOTAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 90, 17 April 1934, Page 7

MEAT QUOTAS.

BRITISH SCHEME. LIVE STOCK REPORT. Regulation Proposal Rouses Much Comment. COMPULSION ON DOMINIONS? [United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 10. Further details of the report of the Reorganisation Commission for Live Stock, which recommended regulation of importation of meat, fresh, frozen and chilled, both foreign and Dominion, include proposals to improve marketing intelligence, enabling the proposed Live Stock Marketing Board to estimate at the beginning of each year the amount of home-grown available as the basis on Avhich the Government should allot quotas.

The commission considers that as the home supplies vary so little, estimates will be possible without long-term forward contracts, and believes that the regulation of imports will eliminate seasonal fluctuations in quantity and quality of meat, besides ensuring the farmer a reasonable price;

The farmers' request for a minimum price was rejected on the ground that it may upset demand. Tlie Government is asked to consider imposing a monetary levy on all imported meat, which would be distributed among home producers.

The "Manchester Guardian" says the vital point in the report is the limitation of imports. If the Dominions do not agree, compulsion may bo applied. Figures, however, do not prove that the fall in prices is due to excessive imports. Britain should rather be grateful to be able to get imported meat so cheaply at a time when unemployment is high.

Restrictions of supply will not increase demand. On the contrary they are likely to diminish it. The commissioners propose to put a dangerous power in the farmers' hands. Neither the buyers nor the butchers are likely to approve the scheme, and any Government enforcing it will accept a grave responsibility. Serious Political Repercussions. The "Financial News," commenting on the report, says the scheme of the commission may have a serious effect on Britain's political relations with the Dominions. The chief proposal is the restriction of imports, abandoning any attempt to restrict home production.

'The commission proposes to regulate imports in accordance with information gathered regarding home supplies. The result will be that the price of frozen and chilled meat will rise and the consumption will fall, but there is no certainty that consumption will be diverted to fresh meat.

"It is admitted," continues the paper, "that British costs of production are far in excess of loreign and Dominion costs. A diminution of the autumn glut may eventually be achieved, but in the meantime we shall have offended the Dominions and the Argentine, thereby causing adverse reactions in the export trade, and we cannot for certain materially improve the position of British farmers."

The "Daily Telegraph" says the suggestion for negotiations may not be very welcome, but the Dominions understand the position and can be expected to agree to some measure of

Plans for a thorough discussion of Australia's marketing problems and its financial relations overseas were arranged by the Prime Minister, Mr. Lyons, and the High Commissioner in London, Mr. Bruce, recently. It was decided that the Federal Cabinet should meet in Canberra on April 16, IT and 18, and continue its sittings for a week, if necessary. It was also decided that the Premiers of all the States should be asked to arrive in Canberra on April 20, accompanied by their Ministers of Agriculture, to meet Mr. Bruce.

"Though we will be discussing financial matters, the gathering will not be a meeting of the Loan Council," said Mr. Lyons. "It will rather be a meeting of the Governments of Australia. There will be a meeting of the Loan Council in May.