TIT FOR TAT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 108, 10 May 1939, Page 6

TIT FOR TAT

THE MEAT QUOTA

IMPORT RESTRICTIONS

(By Telegraph.) (Special to the "Evening Post.")

DUNEDIN, This Day,

Speaking at a Farmers' Union meeting' oh the meat quota, Mr. A. C. Cameron said the question might arise that as the North Island works will get an advantage of early lamb shipments at the possible expense of holding South Island mutton, it would surely be only fair to even this up by giving the southern works preference during the next few months. Doubtless something of this kind would be done. It would appear to be essential, however, that the early lamb should make its usual attractive appearance on the December Smithfield Market. Undoubtedly freezing works would be faced with a problem and some farmers would be hit heavily, particularly as there was every prospect of an increase in freight rates after August 31 next.

It must be realised, however, that the Meat Board was merely carrying .out the unwelcome task of regulating shipments in order that the market would be supplied with what it wanted, at j the time it wanted it, arfs at the same I time complying with the import restrictions imposed by the British Government. If these restrictions were irksome, continued Mr. Cameron, we should consider just what the British exporter was" thinking in connection with the New Zealand restrictions here. It was not a case of the British manufacturer having to regulate his shipments. In many cases the trade he had built up over a period of years had been cut out completely. Just how far this, would influence the British (government when it fixed New Zealand's quotas of meat was a moot question. If New Zealand went on antagonising her customers she could expect little sympathy when it came to the disposal of her own produce.