MEAT EXPORT SYSTEM

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27089, 11 July 1953, Page 6

MEAT EXPORT SYSTEM

N.Z. Reported To Be Seeking Review NOTIFICATION TO BRITAIN

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 10.

The Government has already notified the British. Government that it is seeking a review of the system of marketing and sale of meat exports. The Press Association learned this from an authoritative source tonight. The present seven-year Government-to-Gov-ernment bulk purchase contract, under which prices are reviewed annually, will expire in September, 1955. To raise this issue now is in accordance with the terms of the contract But because of the present meat supply position in Britain, officials in Wellington consider that the British Government is unlikely at present to commit itself on future marketing procedure. It is suggested that Britain will delay decision on this issue as late as possible, so as to gauge more clearly market and supply trends. With the British Government pledged to restore private trading, and because of indications that this may be brought about in 1954, it is not thought likely that Britain will agree to a renewed meat contract, unless the present tendency to accumulate supplies is sharply reversed. Even if the contract is not renewed, New Zealand has been guaranteed the right of entry for her meat for the next 13 years.

Officially, it is suggested in Wellington that the New Zealand producer has little claim to the guarantee that the British Government must give two years’ notice of its intention to end Government-to-Govemment buying. All that the contract requires is that notice of intention to open discussion should be given by July of this year. When the New Zealand Government gassed to the Meat Producers’ Board le authority to negotiate prices- to be paid for New Zealand meat in the coming year, it retained the right, at the request of the British Government, to conduct discussions on contract renewal.

However, an official tonight said that the Government could delegate its powers, and this is taken to mean that the latest approach has been made by representatives of the Meat Board, who are now in England.