MEAT RESTRICTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 December 1934, Page 8

MEAT RESTRICTIONS

MR BRUCE’S DENIAL. [by cable—pbess assn.—copybight.] LONDON, December 21. The “Daily-- Herald” (Labour) says: Mr Bruce and other Dominion representatives have approved of Mr Walter Elliott’s plan. It. is understood Mr Elliott convinced Mr Bruce of the soundness of Australia accepting a temporary scheme of meat restriction on the following grounds:— First: That prices will improve, and producers will get a larger payment for less meat. Secondly: That on the conclusion of the Argentine’s agreement, the British Government will have a free hand, and its long term policy may put a levy of one penny per pound on foreign meat, and one half-penny per pound on Dominion meat. Thirdly: That a larger market would be found for Dominion chilled beef at the expenses of foreign supplies. The “Daily Herald” features a report that Mr Bruce has issued an ultimatum to the Australian Government, which may involve his own resignation as Australian High Commissioner in consequence of his disdisapproval of Australia’s opposition to the British meat proposals. Mr Bruce, it says, told his Government that Australia must either accept the British plan or take the consequences. It is officially stated that Mr Bruce has not sent any message to the Commonwealth Government on the meat or any other question in the nature of an ultimatum, or any threat of his resignation, and that the report is totally unfounded. This statement was issued following on the “Daily Herald’s” statement, which occupied almost half of the front page of the paper.

When the Australian Press Association saw Mr Bruce at the conclusion of the discussions on December IS, lie obviously was seriously perturbed. He kept his confidential staff on duty late to send a detailed report to the Australian Government, but he did not hint that the outcome might affect his personal position. He has departed for the Riveria in accordance with his usual custom of taking holidays abroad at Christmas.

MESSAGE TO GOVERNMENT. MELBOURNE, December 24. Reports in London that Mr Bruce has threatened to tender his resignation owing to the Australian Government’s attitude regarding meat restrictions, are denied by Sir Henry Gullett, Minister-in-Charge of Trade Treaties. It is known, however, that the Prime Minister has received cablegrams from Mr Bruce, expressing the strongest disinclination to convey Australia’s continued objections to ; the British, proposals.