U.K. MEAT RATION SAFE DESPITE ARGENTINE BAN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23314, 25 July 1950, Page 5

U.K. MEAT RATION SAFE DESPITE ARGENTINE BAN

LONDON, July 24. Leading British meat traders said today that the country’s meat ration, at present 1/8 worth a week,, would be safe for the rest of the year, in spite of Argentina’s suspension of deliveries. They said that Argentine meat, over the year, normally accounted for about 4d worth a week of the British ration. Home production is being stepped uo rapidly and is expected to provide 2d. worth more a ration this year than last. British farmers are expected to increase their contribution by another 2d. worth a head in 1951. thus offsetting the whole Argentine contribution. Shipments from Uruguay are expected to reach more than 100.000 tons this year, almost double the 1949 figure. Shipments from New Zealand are also being stepped up and a new longterm meat pact between Britain and Australia, ensuring increased supplier, for many years, is expected to be announced shortly. .

Britain pays New Zealand an average of between fid. and 7d. a pound for beef, but pays Argentina about lOd. a pound. The previous agreement between Britain and Argentina meant that New Zealand was paid a little more than half the price received by the Argentine. Under Britain’s agreement with Argentina she paid £97/10/- a ton for meat When the agreement expired on July 1 she lowered the rate to £9O and has been paying this amount pending a new’ agreement. Argentina has now demanded the previous rate of £97/10/- for meat supplied since then, and wants a new agreement putting the rate at £l4O a ton (1/3 a pound). It has been stated- that Britain is prepared to do without Argentine meat rather than pay excessive prices. Following the new development between Britain and Argentina, New Zealand producers will more keenly await details of prices under the new contract with Britain. No statement on the meat talks last month has been issued, although the Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. B. C. Ashwin. has been back from the talks a fortnight. Many New Zealand producers feel that they have been treated unfairly when they compare prices paid for their meat with those paid for Argentine meat.