MEAT EXPORT RESTRICTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 July 1934, Page 7

MEAT EXPORT RESTRICTIONS

BRITAIN’S FURTHER REQUEST SERIOUS VIEW TAKEN [special to “star.”] WELLINGTON, July 13. Developments of a highly-impor-tant nature have taken place within the last few days, in reference to Great Britain’s desire to assist her home producers of meat.' It was disclosed to-day, by Mr •Coates, that a proposition has been made by the British Government, which involves the extension of the projected restriction on imported beef, to all meat exports from New Zealand.’ The Government is disinclined to discuss the position in any detail, owing to the fact that confidential cablegrams are still passing between the New Zealand and British Governments, but there is no disguising the fact that a serious viety is taken of the situation. Mr Coates was asked by the “Star” representative, to-day, if a proposition had been made to New Zealand by Great Britain, that there should be a reduction in the quantity of mutton and lamb sent to Britain.

His reply was as follows: —“It is certainly tru,e that a proposition involving a reduction in the exports of all meat from New Zealand to the United Kingdom has been made by the United Kingdom to New Zealand, within the last few days. Beyond that, I am not at liberty to say anything at present.”

FARMERS’ UNION PROTEST.

WELLINGTON, July 13

The Farmers’ Union Conference discussed in committee the British Government’s meat quota and levy proposals, and passed the following resolution: —While fully recognising the difficulties of farmers in Great Britain, we respectfully and seriously desire to point out that any restriction on the export of our produce to Great Britain will have a seriously prejudicial effect on our ability to pay our overseas indebtedness, and on our ability to purchase goods manufactured in Great Britain, and we desire to be able to continue doing both. The Conference passed remits protesting against any interference with the observance of Anzac Day, and expressing concern at the weakened state of Empire defences. The Conference also took the view that in the event of war involving the nation, mobilisation should extend not only to human life, but to all resources, and that machinery for this purpose should be designed at once. A further resolution adopted by the Conference was that the Government be requested to collaborate with the British Government in the effort to eliminate unfair discrimination against British shipping trading between foreign ports.

LONDON PRESS REVIEWS

LONDON, July 11

Regarding the meat bonus for British farmers, Parliamentary Press lobbyists state the legislation will be passed through all stages before August. Mr W. Elliot, Minister of Agriculture, hopes the bonus will operate on September 30. Argentina has not returned a flat refusal to accept a meat levy, but has asked for

further information. Io which Britain awaits its reply. The “Daily Telegraph's” political writer sums up the position as follows: Britain will continue to negotiate to obtain from the meat exporting countries their assent to a levy, which will be one penny per pound on beef from Argentina, and some lesser amount from the Dominions. The Dominions have made it plain that they desire a system of unrestricted imports of Empire beef. Failing a voluntary agreement to the levy, one will not be possible, until the Argentina agreement expires in 1936. If the outcome of a further examination is the refusal of the Dominions and of Argentina to accept the principle of the levy, then the British Government has made up its mind that there will

be no alternative but a drastic and compulsory cut in the meat imports

from all sources. The advances to British meat producers from the Treasury are to remain debited against the Commission Fund until there is a levy the means of repayment. “The Times’ in a leading article, says: The supporters of a meat tariff in Britain should note the Dominions’ opposition to any levy. Mr W. Elliot’s subsidy is the only alternative to creating great bitterness in

the Dominions by a sudden intensification of the quotas. Broadly -speaking, the British taxpayer is asked to bide the time during which an agreement with the overseas meat exporters might be reached. It is much to ask for the sake of preserving a friendly atmosphere. It is a difficult task to combine the restoration of prosperity for British agriculture with consideration for the Dominion producers simultaneously with the retention of our trade with foreigners, but it is difficult to see what less complicated and less expensive measures are at present devisable. INSPECTION DEFICIENCIES. * (Received .July 13, 10 a.m.) LONDON. July 12. It is astonishing that while Britain demands a very high standard of inspection in countries of origin of imported meat, she is haphazard and irregular with home-killed, said Cardiff’s veterinary officer, addressing the Royal Sanitary Institute’s Congress at Bristol. He added that if he had to choose for a domestic supply between imported and home killed, lie would unhesitatingly select the former. The Port Dunedin’s chilled beef from Wyndham, North Australia, turned out in excellent condition.

AUSTRALIAN ACCEPTANCE

SYDNEY, July .12

Important proposals which will involve some restriction on the export of Australian beef, mutton and lamb will be placed before the members of the Federal Meat Advisory Committee when they meet at Canberra next week. Hitherto, the opinion has been expressed in political quarters that any restrictions on the export of mutton and lamb were unlikely, but more recent events have now dispelled this hope. Proposals have been made by the British Government, and certain action, arising out of these proposals, -which has been taken by the Federal Ministry, will

be communicated to the members of the Advisory Board. The Graziers' Association Secretary, Mr R. Allen, stated to-day that the local producers had adopted a ‘•wait-and-see” policy in regard to the British meat levy, and the British quota, proposals outlined by Mr W Elliot in the House of Commons. Mr Allen added: “Our producers are definite in their opposition to any form of lew or to any quotas on our meat exports, but they would accept the latter form of regulation if it -were the only alternative to the levy.”