MEAT MARKETING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 117, 17 April 1934, Page 8

MEAT MARKETING

3.15 P.M. EDITION

THE BINGLEY PROPOSALS. FURTHER LIGHT THROWN. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received April 17, 12.25 p.m. LONDON, April IG. Further details of the leport of the Reorganisation Commission for tat stock, appointed by Mr W. E. Elliot (Minister of Agriculture) under the chairmanship of Lord Bingley, include proposals to improve marketing intelligence, enabling the board to estimate at the beginning of each year the amount of home-grown meat available, on the basis of which the Government would allot the quotas. The Commission considers that as the Home supplies vary so little, the estimates will be possible without longterm forward contracts. It believes the regulation of imports would eliminate seasonal fluctuations of the quantity' and quality of meat, and ensure to the farmer a reasonable price. The farmers’ request for a minimum price is rejected on the ground tha.t it may upset demand. The Government is asked to consider imposing a monetary .levy on all imported meat, which would be distributed among home producers. The Manchester Guardian says the vital point of the report is the limitation of imports, and if the Dominions do not agree compulsion may be applied. The figures, however, do not prove tha-t the fall in-' prices is due to excessive imports. Britain should rather ho grateful to he able to get imported meat so cheaply at a time when unemployment is high. Restrictions of the supply will not increase the demand —on the contrary, it is likely to diminish it. “The Commissioners propose to put a dangerous power in the farmers’ hands. Neither the buyers nor the butchers are likely to approve of the scheme and any Government enforcing it will accept grave responsibility,” the paper adds.