IMPERIAL MEAT SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 70, 16 December 1919, Page 9

IMPERIAL MEAT SUPPLIES

REPORT OF BRITISH COMMITTEE OVERSEAS CONTRACTS By Telesraoh—PreßS ABsoolatlon-OoDyrlght (Rec. December 15, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 14. The Committee on the Meat Supply rccomiiieiids diplomatic action to remove restrictions on the importation of Dominion meat into foreign countries; also, that Government contracts should bo oonfiued to producers in tho United Kingdom and the Dominions. The committee is not prepared to recommend a proposal to stiinulato production in tho Dominions by a subsidy, but tho question should be discussed when tho ques-, tion of tariffs, bounties, and subsidies under a general trade policy are bei<ig considered. Tho committee recomnien'ds tne contiuuancij of ail organisation similar to the refrigerated tonnage committees.

Tlio committee, referring to antitrust' measures, agrees that it is advisable to provide ready means for intervention by means of which to cheek practices detrimental to tho public interest. It 10- ■ commends the issue of statutory. licenses for importers and dealers, andl that licensees should lie required to furnish' illformation relating to the ownership- of their businesses, afford facilities for .'the examination of their books, and mako periodical returns showing their past and expected receipts of meat. Tho committee adds: "But effecbilvo measures-.1 .for dealing with trusts require legislation of a general character, and may necessitate international co-operation." Tho committee received proposals that : contracts with Australia and New Zear 'land should 'be extended long enough to -r cover the reconstruction period,but . I decided' not to proceed with considera-' tion of this plan in tho absenco.of any. evidence tl|at tho Dominions wanted'the .eontracfe maintained. The committee thinks that so far as mutton and l?mb nra concerned the Empire will" become self-supporting within a 'few vearsj but i'fc must be dependent on Soutli Ajjiorical for tho bulk of its imports of- beefifor a considerable time. The minority report deolares :that ' a subsidy or guarantee of business to" BrP tish works operating in South America is necessary in order to socure theirl'continued existence, or the BritiSV Government itself should acquire and run tho works. In either case the requisite sufficient insulated shipping should be provided by the British Government.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.