U.S. recognises meat problem

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32567, 29 March 1971, Page 2

U.S. recognises meat problem

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, March 28. The question of meat imports into the United States continued to cause friction in Washington’s trade relations with Australia and New Zealand, said the Secretary of State (Mr William Rogers) yesterday in a report on United States foreign policy. The Nixon Adminis-been no significant changes

tration believed that the role of Australia and ‘New Zealand in Southeast Asia could contribute substantially to the stability of the region, he said. 1 A brief section of the report dealing with the two Commonwealth countries said in part: “Our quantitative and qualitative restraints on imports of meat—the principal - export to the United States of both. Australia and New Zealand—continued to cause some friction in trade relations during 1969 and 1970. “Australia and New Zealand co-operated in the restraint programme on meat imports only with reluctance. “However, consecutive increases in the over-all meat import level in these two years permitted Australian and New Zealand meat exports to the United States to expand by 5 to 10 per cent annually.” The report said there had

>in the intimate relations j which Washington maintained with Australia and ■ New Zealand. “Under the Nixon dobtrine, > however, even greater re- ’ liance than before will be ’ placed on such countries to assume responsibility for regional security,” it said. ' Mr Rogers said that 3 throughout 1969 and 1970 s the Nixon Administration . maintained a close consulta--5 tion with both Governments ,in shaping its policies on j Vietnam and post-Vietnam . South-East Asia. Singapore defence ■ He described the estabHsh- ! ment of a general outline for a five-power arrangement for ■ the external defence of the ■ Malaysia and Singapore : region as one of the most . important developments in ■ the area. The arrangement, he said, i promised to become a valui able link in regional security ■ in the area, and the Admin- > istration believed Australia t and New Zealand could make a substantial contribution to I that security.