MEAT FOR BRITAIN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11767, 14 October 1932, Page 5

MEAT FOR BRITAIN

OTTAWA AGREEMENT FOLLOWS j NEW LINES. ASSURED SHARE OF MARKET AT REMUNERATIVE PRICES. REGULATION OF IMPORTS. PROGRESSIVE INCREASING SHARE FOR DOMINIONS. FOREIGN IMPORTS TO BE CURTAILED. (Press Association.! ' WELLINGTON, Oct, 13. Tabling the full text of the agreements concluded between the United Kingdom and New Zealand at Ottawa, Mr- iCoates intimated in tbo House of Representatives' to-night that a Bill confirming the Customs resolutions would .shortly be introduced.

Mr. Coates said the object ol the meat .agreement, which proceeded along new lines, was to secure for the Dominions and the home producer an increased and assured share of the United Kingdom market at remunerative prices. After referring to the collapse of meal prices, brought i».*out by tbo closing or curtailment of important European markets. Mr. Coates sale the total estimated imports of meat into the United Kingdom from all sources m the years 1929. 1930 and 1931 were respectively 2(5.905, 000cwt., 25,507,000ew1.. and 31,420.000cwF The United Kingdom Government was unable to accede to Lhe request for a tariff, but was determined to apply a scheme for the regulation of imports, the object being i." raise the price to a remunerative level, and progressively to increase the share of [he home producer and lhe Dominion's in the United Kingdom market. PROMISING PROSPECTS FOR PORK MARKET. Finality had net yet been reached regarding pig products, said MB* Coates, but New Zealand bad been assured that a .substantial reduction would be made in the imports of foreign bacon supplies, and that she would acquire an increasing share m the market. Under the agreement made at Ottawa. the British Government had agreed to reduce the imports of foreign mutton and lamb by the following percentages, as compared with the total, for the twelve month* ended June 30, 1932: Quarter ending March 30 1933, by 10 per cent.; June 30, IJVl JV 1.7 per cent. ; September * >o, b\ -0 per cent.; December 31. by 25 per cent.: March 3L 198-1, by 30 per cent.; June 30, 193-1. by 35 per ccnt.j amt thereafter at not less limn 35 pc- cent, for the period of the agreement, namely, five years in a!L Foreign frozen mutton was to be 'subject, in the same percentage reductions, and foreign chilled beef imports were to bi> regulated -o that no increase beyond the quantity for the year coded June 30, 1932. would ho permitted. “\"o reduction is to be imposed on any exports from Now Zealand, su'd Mr. Coates. “Wo have, however, agreed to give, early in each export season, a reliable estimate of exports hv the weight of mutton and lamb. An estimate for the season just commencing' has been given. The purpose is to assist in the orderly niar'keiiim of supplies m the United Kingdom. We are not to exceed Hie estimate given. It can he assumed that such a regulation will tend to raise prices to a remunerative level, and it is believed that this plan will he beneficial lo produce's without detriment to consumers. Air. Coates next dealt, with the concessions New Zealand had accorded the United Kingdom fas reported elsewhere).

CONTROL OF BANKING ESSENTIAL. Mr. Coates, continuing, said that although some delegates at Ottawa held the view that action- in regard tu the control of banking wa 3 the responsibility of Ho respective Governments represented, the yenei.il opinion was that some loim of ecu tral control was important and essential. “I am satisfied,” he added, “that the creation of a Central Bank in New Zealand will be a step in the right direction.” TRADE COMMISSIONER SERVICE MUST BE MAINTAINED.

Air. Coates’ concluded with a reference to the need for effective marketing and a search for new avenues of trade. Useful assistance had been given in this connection by tlm Trade Commissioner sirvice, and it was evident that exports would suffer if the service were discontinued A curtailment would he false economy, since the services were essential in the general interest.