MARKETS FOR MEAT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 52, 30 August 1934, Page 14

MARKETS FOR MEAT

TRADE WITH U.S.A

INQUIRIES BY BOARD

Tho question of a reciprocal arrangement with the United States that might give Now Zealand an entry into that country again with meat was referred to by Mr. David Jones, chairman, at tho annual meeting of the Meat Producers' Board today. Ho said that the Minister of Customs (the- Et. Hori. J.G. Coates) had beeii approached in Juno to sco whether lie thought it advisable to try and arrange some reciprocal tariff through tho President of the United States, who had been given executive power in the matter. Mr. Coates had suggested that it would be advisable first to get New Zealand's own Customs tariff through Parliament, and then he would be in a better position to deal with foreign countries, including America. That course was adopted, and tho board would bo approaching tho Minister again on tho question at an early date. "Tho drought in America with tho reported enormous loss of stock in that country opens up further possibilities that are being investigated," said Mr. Jones. "The question of restriction brings before us again the importance of securing other outlets for tho produe of the Dominion. In discussing new markets wo must recognise thq plain fact that the greatest barrier to trade today is inability to pay for the goods required. "The Continent of Europe was at one time a very valuable maikorfc for a

large quantity of our wool, dairy pro r duce, and, to a less extent, meat. We feel the loss of this market today and tho Dominion must consider a change in its methods of trading with foreign countries. We do a considerable trade with foreign countries in goods that Britain does not produce; pur petrpl imports alone last year were £1,115,784. "The Government should provide machinery by which they can take the .fullest advantage of exchanging goods for goods and also using imports as a bargaining weapon to assist our export of meat ami dairy produce."