AUSTRALIAN MEAT DELEGATION

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28620, 24 June 1958, Page 17

AUSTRALIAN MEAT DELEGATION

“Reasonable” Prices Sought (N Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, June 23 Australia can continue to be Britain’s best customer only if she receives reasonable export prices for primary products, according to the Australian Minister for Primary Industry (Mr William McMahon). Mr McMahon was commenting on reports that British representatives had told the Australian meat delegation in London that the British Government could not continue to “subsidise” the Australian cattle industry at the rate of almost £sm sterling. Mr McMahon said under the 15year meat agreement between Britain and Australia, Britain already had to pay minimum prices for Australian beef up to September 30, 1961. Prices now being negotiated in London were for beef from September 30, 1961, to September 30, 1964, and for mutton and lamb from October 1, 1958, to September 30, 1961. Mr McMahon said the agreement worked both ways. The British Government had an obligation, to provide market prices for Australian meat up to agreed minimum prices. The Australian Government was obliged to try to stimulate meat exports to Britain and, to do this, to restrict exports to other markets. Mr McMahon said the Australian delegation in London would argue that if reasonable minimum prices, particularly for beef, could 1 not be assured for the balance of the agreement—until 1967—then Britain could not expect expansion of beef production in Australia.