BRITISH BEEF.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 247, 11 July 1908, Page 6

BRITISH BEEF.

IS THE TRADE CONTROLLED BY FOREIGNERS? (si TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) London, July 9. In the House of Commons, replying to a suggestion by Lord R. Cecil (Conservative member for Marylebone East) that tho Government should appoint a select committee to inquire regarding allegations that the ■British beef supply is controlled by foreign capitalists, ,• . ' Mr. ■ Asquith (Prime Minister) doubted whether an inquiry would be productive of useful results. It would be better, in the first instance, if those possessing information would communicate with the Board of Agriculture.

SMITHFIELD AND DEPTFORD MARKETS. Mr. C. AV. Bowerman, Labour member of the House of Commons for Deptford, recently told an. interviewer that " the increasing quantities of American meat coming into the markets, and the consequent decreasing supplies of English meat, call for very serious attention. "The Markets Committee of the City Corporation complain of the domination of Smithfield Market by American firms. It is tho same at Deptford, where, though there is a plentiful supply of frozen meat at cheap rates, there is nothing like the quantity of freshkilled meat that there was ten or twelve years ago.

" This is greatly to the detriment of the marbets. At Deptford it means that hundreds of men are thrown,out of work. To a great,extent the blame rests with the Board of Agriculture, because of their restrictions on the importation .of live cattle' from other countries. "Tho demand is just the same, and tho supply, having been cut off from one source, must bo obtained from another source. . This gives the Americans a free hand, which thoy use to keep up. prices to their profit; and our detriment., . ..." "The American beef trade has grown'into an immense monopoly. The most serious effect of siioh a.' monopoly wonld be that the consumer would hare , to pay more for his meat." j