STUBBORN PROBLEM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 158, 4 June 1935, Page 7

STUBBORN PROBLEM

MR ELLIOT ON MEAT. PROTOTYPE OF DENIAL. FEET ON RIGHT ROAD. (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received June 4, 10.5 a.in. LONDON, June 3. The New Zealand Society tendered a luncheon to Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes and Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates at the Savoy Hotel under the presidency of Sir James Parr. Mr Elliot, toasting New Zealand, compared his position at such a gathering with Daniel in the lions’ den, exception that Daniel’s task das relatively simple, inasmuch as there was not enough meat to go round. Referring to the meat negotiations, Mr Elliot said: ‘’Our feet are now set upon a road which will lead to a successful solution of the problem of the primary industries, which is to increase consumption. We have faced an especially stubborn and intractable problem in beef, because the consumption has fallen, The Government, with so many problems'4 on its hands, cannot afford to devote as much time as has been devoted to the detailed questions of foodstuffs. Some machinery is necessary to deal with it. This great problem concerns me day and night It will require our attention for many years. I could not ask for better collaborators than Mr Forbes, Mr Coates, and Sir James Parr.” Mr Forbes said he hoped that Mr Elliot would be gratified by New Zealand’s reduced exports of meat beginning in 1935, as compared with last year. • . Mr Coates drew Mr W. Runciman s attention to the greater increase in British exports to the Dominions than foreign countries, and asked was it too much to hope that preferential development of trade within the Empire would be considered. ARBITRATION IF REQUIRED. AGREEMENT BY DOMINIONS. FIXING THE PERCENTAGES. Received June 4, 11.50 a.m. LONDON, June 3. Mr W. E. Elliot presided at a further meeting to discuss the respective Australian and New Zealand percentages for mutton and lamb. Sir Henry Gullett and Rt. Hon. G. Coates, with their respective experts, were present. No decision was reached. The Australian and New Zealand experts reached an agreement. It was arranged that if the disagreement continues the figures should be referred for decision to an arbitrator or arbitrators acceptable to Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. in the event of disagreement over the award, the British Government itself will decide the issue. The Australian Press Association understands that the New Zealanders are most disapopinted that a quick decision has not been obtained as they feel that they have made every concession, adopting the Ottawa Year (1932) while Australia is unyielding in her demand to continue her swollen exports of 1934.