AUSTRALIAN MEAT TRADE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 5 January 1935, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN MEAT TRADE

Permanent Restriction Will i Have a Decided Reaction OVERSEAS INTEREST PAYMENT CHALLENGE TO BRITAIN? 1 (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright). ReceiAcd 10 a.m. to-day. MELBOURNE, To-day. It is reliably stated that the Commonwealth GoA’Crnment has informed the British Government that should the ’ latter take steps permanently to restrict Australian exports of meat there undoubtedly will be a reaction against the further dcA-elopment of the Australian .market for British goods. The cablegram also insisted that Australia should maintain certain progressive all-round exports under the Ottawa Agreement if she were to balance her trade and meet her oA'crseas interest obligations. Restriction for Short Term The Federal Cabinet, after a long meeting last night, agreed to Britain’s request- for A-oluntary restriction of meat exports for a short term, preferably for the first three months ol the year. The Sun says that until the position has Seen clarified by a full statement of the conditions governing the acceptance by the Commomvealtli of Britain’s demand for restriction local interests Avill be unable to judge the effect of the CommonAvealth’s decision. The Prime Minister • to-night made the following statement: “The CommonAA’ealth Government has made proposals modifying the three months’ programme suggested by the British Government. We liaA’e at the same time indicated this to be a purely temporary arrangement, and that Ave are, in the mutual interests of the United Kingdom and the CommonAvealtli, opposed to any general or permanent policy of restriction. “The Avhole problem Avill be discussed between the two Governments during the forthcoming A'isit of Comonwealth Ministers to London. Meanwhile no details can be given as the matter is still the subject of cable messages, it can he stated that eA’ery step has been taken to protect the interests of the producers and exporters of Australian meat.” It is believed that, while it is unable to accept the quotas for the various classes of meat suggested by Britain, the Federal Ministry has made counter-proposals Avliich require the serious attention of the British Government. It is understood the Cabinet Avill send a communication to the British Government agreeing to a restriction for three months provided the British GoA r ernment is Avilling to raise the larger issue of the future of meat imports and Empire trade generally at another such conference as the OttaAva Conference. Then Australia Avill press for abolition of the quota system in favour of tariff preference for Eimpire ? goods OA'cr foreign goods.