THE MEAT SUPPLY

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 144, 16 December 1919, Page 11

THE MEAT SUPPLY

AN IMPORTANT REPORT

AUSTRALASIAN CONTRACTS

ANTT-PROFITEERING- DEVICES.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—_H__IG_M

(AUSTRALIAN - NEW ZEALAND CABM ASSOCIATION.)

(Received December 16, 8 a.m.)

LONDON, 14th December.

The Committee on Meat Supplies lias issued a report which states that tho probable quantities of meat that can be shipped in 1921 will be 1,871,000 tons, in 254 steamers, of which 480,000 tons will be sent from Australasia, in 132 steamers, and 847,000 tons from Sout_ America in 69 steamers. The Committee has received proposals that the contracts with Australia and New Zealanshonld be extended long enough to cover the reconstruction period; but it had decided not to proceed with the, consideration of this plan in the absence of any evidence that the Dominions wanted the contracts maintained. The Committee thinks that as far as mutton and lamb are concerned the Empire will become self-suppoiting within a few years, but it must be dependent upon South America for the bulk of its beef imports for a considerable time.

The Committee recommends diplomatic action to remove restrictions on tne importation of Dominion meat into foreign countries; and that Government contracts should be confined to producers in the United Kingdom and the Dominions. It is not prepared to recommend a proposal to stimulate production in the Dominions by a subsidy, but the question should be discussed when the questions of tariffs, bounties, and subsidies under a general trade policy are being considered. The Committee recommends the continuance of an organisation similav to the refrigerated tonnage committees.

Referring to anti-trust measures, the Committee agrees that it is advisable to provide ready means for intervention by means of which to check practices detrimental to the public interest. It recommends the issue of statutory licenses for importers and dealers, and that licensees should be required to furnish information relating to the ownership of their businesses, afford facilities for ,-the examination of their books, and make periodical returns, showing their past and expected receipts of meat. The Committee adds : "But effective measures for dealing with trusts require legislation of a general character, and may necessitate international co-operation." The minority report declares that a subsidy or guarantee of business to British works operating in South America is necessary in order to secure their continued existence, or the British Government itself should acquire and run the works. In either case the requisite sufficient/ insulated shipping should be provided by the British Government.