INNER HISTORY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 230, 28 September 1935, Page 11

INNER HISTORY.

MEAT AGREEMENTS.

MR. COATES IN A QUANDARY.

LONDON TELEPHONE CALL.

(By Telegraph.—-Parliamentary" Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Friday.

Xew light on tlic meat agreement*?! was thrown by Mr. A. J. Stallworthy j (Democrat, Eden) in the House of Kepre- j sentatives to-day when speaking in tl,ie Financial Debate. After referring to Ottawa and the deplorable failure of j New Zealand to take off at the earliest ■possible moment the 3 per cent primage duty on British imports, the member for Eden said he was not surprised that there had been 110 crowing about the meat agreements with Cjreat Britain. "New Zealand received an extension of time in respect to meat until March, 1036," said Mr. Stallworthy, "and how is it that the Dominion has been given this breathing- space? Is it anything that the Government has done?" he . asked. i Replying to his own query in the negative, M l *- Stallworthy said that a few hours before the Minister of Finance left London there was 110 agreement. When the Prime Minister left London there was no agreement, and Mr. Coates was in a quandary, and eo 110 went to somebody high up and that person telephoned to Auckland and inquired whether there was any chance of a | change of Government at the forthcoming election. "The reply was' 'yes,'" said Mr. Stallworthy, "and the person who was in a high position said 'that is all we want to know,' and the next day an agreement was made. Another few months was given the New Zealand people to change the Government and the high exchange policy. That is the inner | history of the meat agreement," he continued. When assured of the possibility 'of a change of Government, London j deckled to give New Zealand another I chance —thus the twelve months' breathI ing space.