MEAT EXPORT PROBLEM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 237, 19 September 1934, Page 8

MEAT EXPORT PROBLEM

Cables Not to be Released

BRITAIN'S DESIRE

Mr. Jones’s Visit to London

Ik Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, September is

The Prime Minister, the Bt. Hon W. G. Forbes, in the House of Re

presentatives this afternoon, said that the Government had been engaged in discussions with the Government in the United Kingdom both by interchange of cablegrams and through personal attendance of the High Commissioner in London. •‘We have also." he said, “been in close and constant touch with the Meat Producers’ Board, and to the extent that the dairyfanners are directly concerned, we have arranged a consultation between the two boards.

ha s been our desire at the earliest possible date to facilitate a full ilscussiou of this many-sided problem ip Parliament, and to this end we have peked the Government in the United Jkmgdom to concur in the release of jhe telegrams. However, their reply |oates that for reasons which have been indicated to us, but which need ■oh be discussed, they do not desire Mbtication of the telegrams. Under circumstances the Government replied—and we have no doubt that Parliament and the country will in the reply—that we do not wish to press for publication of the poofidential telegrams at the present tim*.

•*lt might also be mentioned that Esther di&cussioDg on the meat queuwill take place in London about ftw middle of October between representatives of the United Kingdom Gov•mmenr and the High Commissioners jor the various Dominions in order that fullest technical and statistical iniprmation on the subject may be made available to Sir James Parr, thus ensuring New Zealand’s position being adequately presented to the Home authorities in these discussions. •Mr David Jones, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, is proceeding to England and will with Mr R. S. Forsyth, the board’s London manager, be associated with the High Commissioner.” MR. FORBES QUESTIONED (Own Parliamentary Representative.) WELLINGTON, September 18. The keen curiosity of members over the visit of the Meat Board chairman to England in connection with the meat negotiations led the many interruptions of Ebe Prime Minister’s statement on the subject in the House. It had already been made aware through the newspapers that Mr David Jones is on his way to England. It did not know, however, that the Government had requested the Imperial authorities to release for publication the communications which had been exchanged on the subject, but that it had been unable to agree, and that the New Zealand Government would therefore not press the matter. It was explained by Mr Forbes that the purpose of the visit of Mr Jones is to that the High Commissioner would have the fullest technical and statistical information at his disposal in the discussions with the Imperial authorities about the middle of October. Mr R. S. Forsyth, the board’s London Manager, would also be associated with Mr Jones in this advisory capacity. ‘‘ls this trip at the State’s expense?’’ asked Mr W. Nash (Hutt, Labour). The Prime Minister: Mr Jones is sent by the board. Mr W. J. Polson (Stratford, Independent) : Is the House to have an ppportunity of discussing the matter?

The Prime Minister replied: This eould be arranged and the Government had this in mind when asking for a disclosure of the cables.

Mr Polson; Mr Jones is apparently going Home to negotiate?

The Prime Minister: He has gone Home as a representative of the meat producers for the purpose of being able to supply information necessary, and I think that the House will agree that he is well equipped to give information regarding the meat position on behalf of the board. Mr W. E. Parry (Auckland Central, Labour): Another trip?

The Prime Minister: These discussions which will take place are of such importance that it is quite a wise thing to have the chairman of the board who is fully in touch with the position to supply the High Commissioner with the information necessary. Mr Polson: The High Commissioner represents New Zealand? The Prime Minister: Yes, and he has the assistance of the Meat Board chairman and the London manager, Mr Tors.' th.