WARM APPROVAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 170, 20 July 1934, Page 7

WARM APPROVAL.

AUSTRALIAN STAND. Firm Attitude on Restriction Of Meat Exports. BRITISH CONCESSION. ,'Unitea P.A.-Electric Telegraph-Copyright) CANBERRA, July 19. In the course of an address to a conference of State Ministers of Agriculture and the Federal Meat Advisory Committee Mr. F. H. Stewart, Minister of Trade and Commerce, read the .text of a stronglyworded cablegram recently sent to the British Government. The communication stated that if the meat restriction proposals were persisted in Australia would not be able to make any tariff concession on British goods in the forthcoming Budget. The effect of restrictions would be so serious to the economic life of Australia as to jeopardise the stability of the primary industries, and the Government would not be able to continue the process of reducing the tariff on British goods.

It was also emphasised in the cablegram that to restrict meat imports from | Australia before the main Ottawa agree-1 ment expired in August, 15)37, would be a violation of the spirit of that agreement, although technically Britain had the right to impose restrictions after June 30 this year. Mr. Stewart said that following upon the Commonwealth's representations the British .Government had withdrawn for two years all the restriction proposals and only minor questions now remained for. settlement. The Minister's statement was loudly applauded and the Government's attitude warmly approved. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, accordingly will announce a series of important reductions in duties on British goods. The Government is taking advantage of the conference to create an executive committee which will maintain continuous touch with the Department of Commerce and be in a positign to advise when prompt decisions 071 matters affecting the meat industry are required.

CONSTANT THOUGHT. BEEF IMPORTS QUESTION. LONDON, July 19. The exploration of the difficulties in connection with beef imports continues almost daily, but there is no indication of progress" toward a solution of the question. However, there is confidence that a formula will be found to obviate a continuance of the British subsidy until the pact with Argentina expires in 1030. It is understood that Argentina rejected a British offer of a three-years' extension of the pact in return for Argentina agreeing to an immediate levy of 3d to 4d a lb on beef, according to currency movements. Argentina considers that levy excessive.