OTTAWA PACTS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 184, 3 May 1934, Page 9

OTTAWA PACTS

Britain Said to Desire Consultations FORM NOT DECIDED Negotiations Reported to Have Opened MEAT AGREEMENT ENDING By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received May 2, 7 p.m.) London, May 1. The "Sun” says that it is understood that the British Government desires early consultations in connection with Ottawa agreements, particularly as to meat, on which the agreement terminates on June 30, but it has not been decided whether to hold a miniature Ottawa Conference or informal discussions with the Dominion representatives stationed in London. The “Daily Telegraph's” political correspondent says that talk about an Empire conference in London this year has no foundation, but negotiations among the High Commissioners are already in progress, and it is confidently expected that an understanding , will be reached. The “Daily Express” says that negotiations are being opened almost immediately between the Dominions Office and official representatives of the Dominions in London concerning future Enfpire trading; particularly as regards ineat imports. The “Evening Standard” lobbyist says that the British Government will urge the Dominions to accept some form of restriction to cover the period until trade pacts with foreign countries expire. LEVY SUGGESTED Subsidy on British Meat STATE OF BUTTER TRADE (Received May 2, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 2. The Conservative Parliamentary Agricultural Committee, in view of the uneconomic trading in Danish and Dutch butter, which, it was contended, amounted in effect to a bounty ou exports to Britain, to the prejudice of English and Dominions producers, decided to Invite Mr. W. Runciman, President of the Board of Trade, to discuss the problem with the committee It also appealed to the Government to aid the live stock industry in a similar manner to the wheat bounty, and proposed a subsidy ou meat on a basis of 48/- a hundredweight for cattle and 56/- for sheep, which would be raised by a levy of a penny a pound on imported meat, producing £6,500.000 in a normal year. The scheme would in no way operate against the Dominions and colonies. FOREIGN IMPORTS Mr. Runciman Questioned (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, May 1 ■ The President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Walter Ruucimau, in the House of Commons to-day, replied to a series of questions regardilng the increase in imports of various commodities from foreign countries over particular periods i and asking what action be would take to increase the imports of these com--modities within the Empire. Mr. Runciman pointed out that it was often misleading to consider by themselves statistics relating to specific and limited periods and to specific countries. As an illustration of this he mentioned that wheat imports from Canada increased from 7,165,342 cwt. in the first three months of 1932 to 13.855,000 cwt during the same period of 1933. In the case of oats, increased imports from Russia in the first three months of, 1934 were more than offset by the reduced imports from the Argentine in the same period. As regarded maize, the surplus available for export in Empire countries from 1933 crops was unusually small owing mainly to the short crop in South Africa. Considerably increased duties were imposed last January on oats and oat products from foreign countries, and in the ease of most "f the other commodities mentioned Empire countries had either full entry or preferential duties. The Minister added that while no opportunity would be lost of developing inter-imperial trade, he could not contemplate discrimination against the produce of particular countries merely be cause imports from those countries happened to show an increase in a particular period. MAY CURTAIL WOOLBUYING Italy and Australian Market Loudon, May 1. The ’’Yorkshire Post” says that private advices hint at a possible very substantial curtailment of Italy’s direct buying of wool from Australia next season, unless the Commonwealth shows a materially greater interest in Italian goods. The "Yorkshire Post” says that the Argentine Government may shortly oe compelled temporarily to prohibit the export of wheat to Europe. If exports are continued at the present rate of 8,500,000 bushels weekly, the quota will be exhausted by the end of May, and the Argentine must either cease European shipments till August .1, nsacrifice Brazilian or other local trad”. Shipowners arc worried as Argentine shipments are the chief source of employment for tramp shipping. WORTH £55,000,000 Australian Wool Exports Melbourne, May 2. The president of the Melbourne Woolbrokers’ Association. Mr. N. Carson. said that the export value of this year’s Australian wool clip would be about £55.000,000. Australia at present has 112,000,000 Sheep.