ARMOUR’S CLAIM

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 244, 9 July 1921, Page 6

ARMOUR’S CLAIM

ANOTHER COMMUNICATION FROM WASHINGTON THE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION The Acting-Prime Minister has received a further communication of considerable length from the Amercan ConsulGeneral for New Zealand with reference to tlie refusal of the Government to issue a meat export license to Messrs. Arniour and Company of Australasia. It will be remembered that some weeks ago the Consul-General transmitted to the Dominion Government a protest wade by ihe United States Government against the refusal of the license, the protest suggesting that the refusal was "arbitiuiy and discriminatory." The Acting-Prime .Minister sent a reply re the United States Government through the ConsulGeneral, and attention was then called to the fact that this method of commuuication, without the intervention, of the Colonial Office or the Foreign Office, was contrary to precedent. A. cablegram from London stated subsequently that the United States Government had taken up ihe matter with the Foreign Office. The communication now been, received from the Consul-General again sets out ihe views of the American Government, and presses the protest against the withholding of a license from Armour and Company, which has the backing of American capital. Sir Francis Bel stated vesterdav that the constitutional question raised by these communications was receiving the consideration of the New Zealand Government. Tn the meantime no further reply had been eent.