THE MEAT TRADE.

Grey River Argus, 31 May 1922, Page 5

THE MEAT TRADE.

AMERICANS BEATING DOMINIONS ON THE BRITISH MARKET. (Received May 30, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 29. Interviewed by the Australian Press regarding Australia’s meat trade with Britain, an elder said: Atlhough it is still rumoured that the Argentine meat interests are now working in agreement, there is no confirmation of the rumour, and the chilled beef shipments are being enormously increased, despite the fact that the market prices in Britain are lower. Therefore, it seems quite clear that, whether the Argentine shippers are in agreement, or are in comptition, the result to Australasia is the same. The Argentine producers are dumping huge beef shipments into England. By so doing they mean either to oust the Australian frozen beef ■ from the British market, or to relegate it to a very low position. The Australasian beef prices arc entirely controlled by the foreign competitors. Mr Elder said further that the beef bonus that has now been granted by the Commonwealth also

the latest reduction in freight, ami likewise the decrease in the wages of workers at the Australian freezing works, have been of great value to th- 1 beef trade from that country. They represent a very welcome addition to the price which can be paid the beef p.|<lucer, and will result in a much larger export of Queensland beef to Great Britain than otherwise would have taken place. Yet, owing to the aforesaid Argentine action, the Australian meat is unlikely to meet with a satisfactory market in Britain, despite the strenuous efforts made at this end. Australia will get no help from the British Government. The protection asked for by the adoption of the Bridgeman Report would actually mean cheaper beef for the consumer. 'The Australian exporters has sent the cheapest beef that this country has enjoyed during the last quarter of a century. If this source of supply is to be interfered with, then the consumer must, of necessity, pay more. Furthermore the national aspect of the situation ;is serious, and it will get more serious as the years pass, if nothing is done here to protect the Empire beef production against the calamitious onslaught by foreign interests. Britishgrown beef ,is not keeping pace with requirements, and the proportion of home-grown beef to the total consumption is decreasing every year by about 1 per cent. Foreign beef is filling the i shortage. We all know that the sen- I timent of Australia in favour of Britain is one of the heart. I am sorry, however, to find that the sentiment of Britain towards all business propositions is strictly one of the pocket. The magnificent preference that is being accorded to British goods by Australia is virtually unrecognised in any practical British response.