BRITAIN’S MEAT RESTRICTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 December 1934, Page 7

BRITAIN’S MEAT RESTRICTIONS

AUSTRALIA’S LONE HAND REFUSAL TO ACCEPT [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] (Received December 19, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 18. The expectation that Australia would be the sole dissenter to the temporary regulation of meat imports was confirmhed at to-day’s meeting between Mr Elliot, Mr Thomas and the High Commissioners, as the outcome of which, Britain and the other Dominions decided to make representations to Austraia, jointly appealing for the Commonwealth’s cooperation. Such action is probably unprecedented in Imperial affairs. Over sixty attended the meeting, which was one of the largest Imperial gatherings for some time. It included experts and advisers. A communique merely states that the meeting was held, but the “SunHerald Service” understands there was some very plain speaking, in which it was made clear to Australia that if she continued non-co-operation, compulsory restrictions would be inevitable.

No further meeting will be held pending Australia’s reply. Sir J. Parr, interviewed by the Australian Press Association, admitted that the crux of a long detailed discussion was the outcome of Dr Earle Page’s declaration of December 3, dealing with Australia’s opposition to export restrictions. He declined to discuss New Zealand’s particular share at the meeting, but said: “Before the end of the month, a decision will be reached on the ■short term policy and I expect the British Government in January, to propound its scheme of long term policy, applicable after March 31.” Mr R. S. Forsyth and Mr David Jones accompanied Sir J. Parr.

DEARER BACON. LONDON, December 18. The “Daily Herald” (Labour) says: Disaster threatens the marketing of bacon pigs. The Bacon Board commenced work in the middle of 193.3. The import quotas were imposed in 1932 to protect the Home industry, which remains in a. condition of individualistic disorder. Retail prices have risen about forty per cent, forcing some consumers to cease buying. Britain now pays forty million for seven and three-quarter million hundredweights of Danish bacon, whereas the same amount purchased 11,391,000 hundredweights in 1932. This fantastic foolishness masquerades under the name of agricultural planning. A TIMELY REMINDER. AUCKLAND, December 19. C. M. Turrell, general manager of the New Zealand Shipping Co., returned by the Rangitata, to-day, after witnessing' the launching of the Company’s new motorship Durham at Belfast. He said that shortly before sailing for New Zealand he saw Mr David Jones, and understood from him that nothing would be decided concerning the meat restrictions until after the New Year. “The people in England realise our difficulties,” said Mr Turrell, “but we are rather prone to think we are the only people with difficulties.” He felt sure that a satisfactory agreement would be reached. BUTTER PRICES. WELLINGTON, December 19.

Interviewed regarding the cable message which refers to an advertisement by Aplin and Barrett, who contend that the margin in the price between Danish and Empire butters is due to legislative measures and to importers having been prevented from speculative buying, Mr. lorns, Chairman of the Dairy Board, said the socalled “legislative” measures referred to are evidently the agreement for more orderly marketing come to between the United Kingdom Impcrteis Association and the Dairy Board, un- ( der which importers handling Nev.’ Zealand butler and cheese on consignment, undertook not to speculate in New Zealand butter and cheese. This stipulation has been recognised by the Dairy Commission as very, desirable, and has been approved of by importers themselves. Wholesale importers and merchants, such as Aplin and Barrett, were not prevented from speculative buying, if they desired to do so. No connection can be proved between ihe marketing regulations referred to and the price of Danish butter, as the difference in price between Danish and New Zealand butters, twelve months ago when no regulations existed, was practically the same as to-day. The supply of Danish butter la’gely determines its price, and with Danish butter in very short supply, to-day, the margin between it and New -Zealand is correspondingly large. The firm whose advertisement is refered to, were strongly opposed to the iustitulion of the marketing’ order in winch Dominion interests sought to make it compulsory to market New Zealand and Australian butters with the name of the country of origin. 1 his firm consistently refrained from advertising New Zealand and Australian butter as such, and is one of, if net the largest blenders of butter in Great Britain. The Dairy Board considers that one way in which the margin in price between New Zealand and Danish can be lessened is by New Zealand butter being sold under its own name.