BRITISH PLANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 177, 28 July 1934, Page 9

BRITISH PLANS.

IMPORTS SCHEME.

MEAT RESTRICTION.

Submitted to Dominions in

London.

ARGENTINA'S OPPOSITION. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph-Copyright) (Received 1 p.m.) LONDOrr, July 27. A scheme for regulation of meat imports by the British Dominions and the Argentine was imparted by the Dominions Secretary, Mr. J. H. Thomas, and the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Walter Elliot, to a meeting which included Mr. S. M. Bruce, Australian Minister in London, Sir James Parr, New Zealand High Commissioner, and the High Commissioner for Southern Rhodesia. Representatives of the Foreign Office and the Board of Trade were also present.

It ia understood that it was proposed that the Dominions shall reduce their imports to the approximate quantities agreed on at Ottawa, with the exception of Rhodesia, whose figures will be something like those for 1033.

It is understood that Argentina is urging reasons why tho restriction proposals cannot be accepted.

Britain lias not submitted definite figures for meat reductions nor in any wise indicated compulsion, but has merely suggested the scheme pending final negotiations and in the interest of all concerned, in order to save the market from sagging further. Experts will confer immediately and examine the possibilities on tho basis of the Ottawa figures. Dominion May Accept. A communique regarding the conference states that it was recognised that during the period that the Exchequer subsidy was paid to the British beef producer the Government would desire to arrange imports in order that the value of the subsidy might not be depreciated by the effect of excessive imports. It was arranged that the Governments concerned should exchange views in order to give effect to that purpose. The "Daily Telegraph" political correspondent believes there is every hope of the Dominions assenting to the scheme. The proposed regulation will operate on the expiration of the subsidy. Argentina has not yet accepted the proposal.

The "Sydney £fcin" representative says it is understood that Mr. Thomas intimated to Dominion representatives that Britain is not likely to renew the £3,000,000 subsidy when it terminates. Consequently Britain, the Dominions and Argentina must complete arrangements immediately-to regulate the meat trade.

Tho "Daily Express" states that it is proposed to cut Argentine imports by 10 per cent on the year ended June 30, 1932. Argentina is unwilling But Britain is expected to insist on this condition.