AT OTTAWA

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 193, 30 July 1932, Page 7

AT OTTAWA

THE MEAT INDUSTRY OFFICIAL BRITISH VIEW. ARGENTINE QUESTION CREEPS IN ; United Press Association—By CableCopyright.) (Receiveu oi), n. 15 a.m.) Ottawa, July 29. A tentative but authoritative British view regarding the outcome of the meat proposals has been secured. While the exigencies of bargaining may impel Britain to accede a small duty on meat there are special considerations apart from the extension of linaneial interests in the Argentina which make the British delegation reluctant to remove meat from the free list. There is no certainty that a small duty would in crease the price of meat to the British housewife, it is noted that the butter price has actually fallen since the ten per cent, duty was imposed, and there nas been no steady drop in the general market, but everyone hopes that the prices of primary products will shortly nave a natural rise, in which case the public would contribute the amount of duty, however small, in the increased meat price. Britain might decide for the sake of the dominions that it is worth while to increase the duties on butter, cheese and eggs from the present 10 per cent, to 15. When it comes to the question of removing wheat and meat from the free list it provokes discussion, because it affects basic commodities. The slogan which above all others would exicite the British public against the Government would be: “They’re taxing bread and meat.” While the British Government might be able to persuade the public that they hud gained sufficient concessions from the dominions to justify such a duty, the British delegation realises that within, say, two years there would be bitter criticism because the natural increase in prices in the interim would be blamed on the removal of wheat and meat from the free list.

DOMINIONS ’ POSITION. The delegation considers it problematical whether the dominions would gain an appreciable advantage from a small duty on meat even if, with marketing conditions continuing a 3 at present, prices underwent a slight natural increase the view at present taken is that unless Australian and South Africans could rapidly make enormous improvements in the quality of their stock they would be asair- the British consumer to curtail the consumption of the high-grade Argentine article and eat a larger quantity of the inferior article. ft i 3 logical that the British housewife would warmly resent coercion to buy inferior beer at a higher price. Such a result!—which the British Government would hesitate to bring about, knowing it would cause imperilling a swing of; public opinion—in an industrial country like Britain might eventually turn public sentiment against Imperial preferences as being bought too dearly.

THE BRITISH FARMER. As far as the British farmer is concerned, he has already suffered greatly through the fall in iamb' and mutton prices, but the marked discrepancy always prevailing between English fresh and imported meat moans that he would practically be unaffected by any small duty imposed upon the foreign product.

The whole crux of the dominions' case, particularly the Australian, is that quantitative restriction would not actually, and need not be permitted "to, raise the price of beef to the British consumer. Without a quota Argentina is able to flood the British market at all seasons, even selling below, cost, or at least undercutting, frozen beef, which the dominions consider should some protection. They have made meat the strongest plank in the conference programme, realising that if the present conditions are allowed to continue a great Australian primary industry will be in a hopeless state.

AN INACCURATE REPORT. (Received 30, 11.10 a.m.) Ottawa, July 29. An inaccurate report has been published stating that tne dominion butter proposals include a request that Britain should reduce foreign butter imports from 200,000 tons yearly to 117,000. It is officially stated that the proposals, while seeking the introduction of the quota, particularly refrain from specifying any definite figures. The proposafs also request an increase of preference from a penny to twopence a pound. The blunt request for a certain specified quantitative restriction was vetoed by the overwhelming majority of dominion delegates. It was considered the more polite and sounder method to endeavour to get the principle of the quota established, then to discuss the quota details with Britain later. The dominion delegates deplore the incorrect version, which may possibly prejudice negotiations.

CURRENCY PROBLEMS. (Received 30, 12.10 p.m.) Ottawa, July 29. The principal conference business today was a meeting of the Currency Committee, which continued discussions on the effect of the recent changes in price levels, also the instability of exchange rates. The heads of delegations meet again to-morrow further to consider the Empire’s monetary problems. The sub-committee likewise at a meeting made a preliminary examination of technical matters. The discussions have not reached a stage where Britain can be given a lead. While thqro is no question of dissension in the conference, the speeches, some of which will probably bp released to newspapers early next week, indicate two well-known schools of thought. The first school considers that the Empire alone representing a vast group of nations whose currencies are linked with sterling, might to some extent now succeed with the plan for raising price levels. The second school of opinion hold that the question is so wide that a better plan would be to bring in all nations for the purpose of reviewing, and if possible adjusting, world monetary problems, which are necessarily linked up with the Empire’s depression. They believe that only international action can be effective. No hint has yet been given as to which line the conference will take, but Australia is subscribing to the first school and still Ropes for some

progress towards solution of currency difficulties at Ottawa. The sub-committee on the promotion of Empire trade elected Mr Runcimau chairman. It discussed Empire content. Tho butter proposals have reached the third stage. The first was dominion agreement regarding requests the second reference of the proposals to the British delegations and the third is discussion of details between British and dominion officials, who will next deal with meat and fruit. The fourth stage will be further discussions between the British and dominion delegations and the fifth Britain’s decisions.

The sub-committee on industrial standardisation discussed chiefly the steps the various dominions have taken to carry out the decisions of the 1930 conference.

THE WOMEN’S VIEWPOINT. (Received 30, 10.30 a.m.) Ottawa, July 29. The National Council of Women gave a luncheon to the women accompanying the oversea delegates. Mrs Baldwin, speaking first in French and then in English, regretted that maternal mortality had increased in England though infant mortality had slightly lessened. Mrs Coates described New Zeaand’s welfare work for women and children and pointed out that New Zealand formerly had the world's highest maternal death rate and was much lower. Lady Chatterjee emphasised the great interest that Indian women are taking in Ottawa and its decisions.

MR BALDWIN’S FIGURES QUES TIONED. Auckland, July 29. Commenting on the figures quoted at Ottwa by Mr Baldwin, Dr. Neale, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, said there v.-as something seriously wrong. Mr Et.ldwin was reported as saying that Britain’s imports from New Zealand in 1930 were valued at £44,900,000 and her exports to New Zealand £lB,700,000. According to the 1932 Official Year Book the figures were £36.000,000 and £21,000,000, showing an apparent balance of £15,000,000, not £26.000,000. Even £15,000,000 exaggerated the position, as much of New Zealand L exports found their way to Europe. These reexports amounted to some £7.000,000, so that the real balance of trade was about £8,000,000, not £26.000,000. It was difficult to see on what basis Mr Baldwin’s figures were arrived at. In the case of the Australian figures, Dr. Neale said that according to the Australian Year Book., Australia actually imported more from Britain than she sent there.