MEAT IMPORTS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 7 March 1935, Page 6

MEAT IMPORTS

BRITADTS ATTITUDE

Levy, with Preference for Do= minions, Thought Best Solution SAVING HOME PRODUCERS EARLY ACTION INTENDED (United Preni Awoclation— By Electric TelegrapD Oopyrigntl deceived 2.45 p.m. to-day. LONDON', Marelx 6. A White Paper on meat imports says it is the Government’s firm intention to safeguard the position of the United Kingdom livestock industry. The only practicable means at present available is a drastic reduction ■in imports from all sources. If, however, the Dominions concerned and Rhodesia and Argentina will consent to the necessary variations of their agreements, it will l>e possible to deal with the situation by the imposition of a levy, with or without a measure of supply regulation. The question therefore arises whether, with the consent of the Governments concerned, a. levy should be imposed forthwith as ail alternative to a drastic reduction ot imports. The Australian Press Association says that, concurrent with the publication. of Dr. Page’s and Mr. J. ll'. Thomas’ statements, the White Paper makes the situation regarding the meat imports more lucid than at any time during the past three or four months’ discussions. It may he assumed that Britain’s preference for the ■levy, as clearly expressed in the White Paper, is due tot the country's general antagonism to quota schemes. Major Elliot’s policy obviously will allow to an extent imports oi meat to find their proper level under the combined influence of a levy and the undesirability of depressing the market by excessive supplies, which the exporters must regulate among themselves. While the situation is now easier to grasp, it cannot be described as much more hopeful. There can be no certainty regarding a general Empire adhesion to the policy of the levy instead of a drastic quota system, while Argentina will not lightly forego her advantages until the expiration of her agreement with Britain. The White Paper points out that the world depression caused a disproportionate fall in agricultural prices and meat was specially affected by the expansion of overseas production, in some cases stimulated by subsidies. It was clearly impossible that the British Government should acquiesce in a situation threatening to rain the British livestock industry. Britain’s net production in meat remained practically unchanged for '2-5 years. The population meantime had increased by ten per cent., but the agricultural popula--1 tion had declined by 14 per cent, while our meat imports from all sources increased by 33 .1-3 per cent. The development of inter-imperial trade was admittedly of primary importance, hut as the Empire was unable to absorb oven a major part of Britain’s exports, it was essential that foreign countries ..should take a substantial part of it.

The British Government’s opinion is expressed that a levy on imported meat, with preference for the Dominions, will afford the best long term solution of the problem. The possibility cannot be excluded that additionally some regulation of the market may he desirable in the interests of the producers at particular times, but the Government cannot regard as satisfactory a permanent arrangement of a system under which the responsibility for the regulation of the market would rest with the Government alone. Its view is that the British Government’s intervention should be limited to the collection of the levy and the application of .the proceeds to the home industry, leaving the overseas producers themselves to regulate their exports. Failing an agreement on a levy the Government would have no alternative but to take steps to regulate, during the terms of existing agreements, the quantities of imports to the extent necessary to restore livestock to a remunerative level.

In order to give the, Governments concerned a further opportunity to consider the problem, Eritain was continuing the subsidy temporarily, but the Government has no intention of either doing so indefinitely or of acquiescing in the ruin of the livestock industry. The Government desired at the earliest moment to operate the levy system, with a preference to the Dominions, leaving the oversea producers to regulate their own exports. The questions therefore arose whether the Governments concerned would consent to an immediate levy on imports, as an alternative to a drastic reduction of imports, which otherwise would be necessary, or whether the import regulation should cease from the date of the imposition of the levy, or after a transitional period, during which moderate regulation would be maintained. Finally, whether a levy should be imposed on all meat, or only beef, veal and live cattle.

In the House of Commons Mr -T. H. Thomas, the Dominions’ Secretary, in answer to a question on the White Paper, made a statement almost identical with Dr. Page’s. iSir P. A. Harris asked, “Have you consulted Mr Puneiman on the subject, as he gave a pledge to the electors not to tax meat?”

Mr Thomas replied: The White Paper includes Mr Eunciman’s views.