AUSTRALIA AND QUOTAS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21354, 22 December 1934, Page 15

AUSTRALIA AND QUOTAS

Emergency Meeting Of Cabinet REPRISALS FEARED CHANGE OF ATTITUDE URGED BY MR BRUCE (UMITJRD PRESS ASSOCIATION—BT ELICTBIO TEXIGBAFH —COPYBIGBT.) (Received December 21, 9.25 p.m.) MELBOURNE, December 21. It is understood that serious developments have arisen because of Australia's rejection of the British meat restriction plan. Consequently the Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) is calling an emergency meeting of the Federal Cabinet foxDecember 28. '. It is reported that the High Commissioner (Mr S. M. Bruce) has cabled Mr Lyons in strong terms urging the Government to reconsidei its action, fearing serious reprisals against Australia. Mr Lyons has accordingly convened a meeting of the Meat Advisory Committee for the same date.

EFFECT ON NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTION [THE PRESS special Service.] AUCKLAND, December 21. "Restrictions must inevitably act as a pronounced drawback to the meat production of the Dominion, said Mr T. A. Duncan, a member of the New Zealand Meat Producers Board to-day. "When restrictions become necessary, the policy of the board is to regulate those classes oi meat which bring in the least money. This naturally affects such produce as boneless beef and bobby calves. The whole position is difficult and uncertain at the moment and it is quite impossible to make any forecast of the nature of the long-term allotments." It was expected, said Mr Duncan, that these long-term arrangements for the regulation of meat impoits into Britain would be fixed, as a result of discussions by all the inter ested parties, to take place in London ; n January. The Dominion would be represented by the: High Commissioner (Sir James Pair), vised by Mr David Jones, c airrna of the board. It was expected thai the Quantities to enter Great Bntain for the next two years would be determined, and meanwhile temporary allocations had been mace covering the first quarter, ending on allocations for those three months seem to be fairly satisfaclory," said Mr Duncan. "The present figures look as if they are going to cover the position, except in the case of porkers. Should the killings of these reach the allotted figures during that time eithei then carcases will have to be kept cold store, or the pigs will have to be kept on the farms for fuitnei fattening to the baconer stage, whichever best suits the convenience of the producer. "No difficulties are anticipated as to mutton and lamb." he said, unless the killings exceed those of the previous years, and the provision for auarter beef seem inadequate. It is to be regretted that the bobby calf trade has been interfered with, ss this gives valuable employment in works during the slack season, helps to keep down overhead expenses. and has other advantages. "It is in the pork trade that the complications, if any. are likely > arise. The baconer allotment seems large enough, but already the killings of porkers are far above ' as ' year's record figure. Pork production is rapidlv increasing, and should any drastic restrictions be placed on this class of pig, this, coupled with the possibility of a drv season, may make it hard lor the farmers to put on the finisn necessary to produce baconers.