FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 58, 9 March 1911, Page 2

FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

PROPOSALJOTO GERMAN

TEMPTING PROSPECT BY ■ GERMAN CONSUL.

T"na possibilities of establishing a frozen S export trade to Germany ing of the Cantejury v but only as a member of the Chamb6Mv Joosteu said that he had seen an article in the Lyttelton Tunes reeling the state of affairs in Vienna, fhere the cost of living was^*l to be higher than in any other city in the world. Germany was in a very similar position at present time. In the last paper which he hadieccived from Leipzig if was stated: that rump stake was 2s per Jb, beef steak Is Gd, and the cheapest mutton Is. ft was only a matter of time when the- moat market in Germany would be thrown open for competition. New Zealand could take advantage of the' experience of Argentina which had secured preferences with Austria, and the- Dominion could do something in the same way with Germany. The Social Democrats and the Liberals in Germany were fighting for it tooth and nail, and those interested in the trade in New Zealand should iirge the Government to do something in the matter. Canada had treated quite itdependently with Germany already, and there was no reason why Now Zealand should not do the same. It would strengthen the hands of the commercial classes in Germany if overtures were made from New Zealand. The preferential tariff against Germany, which brought in £10,000 or £15,000, would be insignificant compared with a successful New Zealand contract for supplies io the German army of 600.000. Germany was a strong protective country, and .would make use of her tariff in any negotiations that might go on, but when she did open her markets she would not send out invitation cards, and whoever came first would get preference. There was a strong movement to get foreign meat in, and two years ago the German Government would have bought New Zealand meat if it had been offered, but the German Government was handicapped by the composition of parties, ah4,..it might lose support if it made the"'proposal. If outside influences were brought to bear and New Zealand offered certain concessions which becamel known to the people, their rough sympathy would force the Government oven more strongly than it was being forced now.

Mr A. Kaye said that the New Zea"^p,nd Government had already sent the TJFi'th Commissioner to the conference "-, Vienna to forward the interests of "*>w Zealand, and much good had been done. There was no want of effort on

the part of the Government, but Germany would not open her markets, and every effort was being made now 'by merchants in London to get into Germany- There should be no talk of concessions or the right of getting in, because'as soon as the door, was opened Germany woni|l reap the benefit of buying meat "at" hali"-:th.e, N pri,ce that was paid now. " ' * . The president, Mr F. E. Jones, said that he gathered that Mr Joosten ?wishe4 New Zealand to remove the preferential tariff which operated:-iff favor,pi Britain against Germanyi- - '■ Mr Joosten said that he had mentioned the point, but it was,not essential. It lay between the meat-pro-ducing countries as to which would offer, the best terms, and if New Zealand could supply onfe or two million pounds' worth of meat, annually to German}- some concession, could, very well be offered. Mr Joosten added that ho spoke not as German Consul, but only as a member of thoGhaftibe'r,' and h"> did • not desire to move ' a motions ■~;. ~,

Tho piie'siclent said that if a letter, were written to the Council of .the Chamber on tho subject it would reeeiT»e careful consideration.