At Ottawa

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6919, 25 July 1932, Page 7

At Ottawa

Cubs Make Their Demands The Lion is Silent

DELICATE POSITION OVER MEAT INDUSTRY

tiuited Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received Sunday, 9.50 p.m. OTTAWA, July 23.

There could not be more significant evidence of the deep determination to make the conference a success than the fact that every delegate, consultant and adviser, in addition to the army of unofficial industry representatives, was busy in committees both morning anti afternoon of Saturday. There was no thought of enjoying a long week-end.

Lord Bessborough to-night gave a dinner to the leaders of the delegations, including Messrs. Bruce and Coates. Sunday was devoted to special services in the churches of all denominations. The Government suggested that the churches throughout Canada should reserve the day for prayer for wise guidanco ot' the conference.

The delegates have heard four “business” speeches—firstly, Mr. Bennetts important opening declaration that Canada’s secondary industries must allow the primaries to progress; secondly, Air. Coates unexpectedly spoke for 30 minutes instead of ten, emphasising Now Zealand’s definite views on preference plus quota; thirdly, Mr. Bruce’s review in. which he asked in no uncertain terms for assistance for the meat industry; and fourthly, Mr. Havenga’s surprise announcement that Houth Africa desires to be a real factor in the chilled beef industry.

Now that the principal Dominions liavo stated their cases, tho British delegation maintains taciturnity, awaiting in the first place the announcement of the concessions the Dominions will volunteer, and secondly, the demands they will make. The position will crystallise during the middle of the week.

Messrs. Bruce, Riddle and Melville will represent; Australia on the currency committee.

South Africa’s declaration announcing herself a strong ally of Australia regarding meat gives Australia unexpectedly powerful _ support. Mr. Havenga’s statement is the most gratifying development of the conference so far as Australia is concerned., Neither tho Australian nor New Zealand delegations had any inkling that South Africa would range herself with thorn as ■ a competitor with tho Argentine. Neither Mr. Bruco nor Mr. Coates desires to comment, but it is evident that South Africa’s aspiration reinforces the attitude of Australia and New Zealand.

Britain’s Delicate Position Britain’s position is delicate, in view' of the millions invested in the Argentine. Thus far there has been no indication as to liow Britain will act. Australian experts, discussing _ the pronouncement, point out that if South Africa produced prime beef she could readily compete with Argentine chilled. They further express t.hc opinion that it Australia developed cattle of the right quality she would soon enter the beet' trade. Scientists arc diligently studying the problem to overcome Australia’s present handicap that chilled beef will not carry longer than 40 days. Neither Australia, South Africa nor New Zealand has to-day the quality of beef to compete with tho Argentine, but Australia would outpace South Africa so far as quality is concerned, and the research into chilling processes, which is progressing by leaps and bounds, will probably enable Australia shortly to become a formidable chilled beef competitor.

Butter Demands .Mr. Coates has been appointed chairman of the official butter committee, which met 10-day. There is every likelihood that the Empire butter interests will reach unanimity, enabling “demands” to be presented to the British representatives on Monday. Mr. Bruce has been appointed chairman of the official meat committee.

Preference and Quota OTTAWA, July 22. Mr Coates, iu addressing tho Imperial Conference, id: “New Zealand sincerely desires that Britain shall increase che existing preferences, and also extend them, embracing products not now included. New Zealand is particularly interested in meat and meat by-products. Preferences have proved a valuable instrument, but their influence is felt in long-term trends. It is necessary that we should think in the present emergency to supplement preferences by more direct means. Therefore we support a judicious application of the quota principle, controlling the importation of non-Empire commodities into Empire markets, as an emergency measure designed to tide over an abnormal period.

“We consider that the quota should never be applied to Empire products, but that our end can best be achieved by restricting the volume of foreign imfports. This is admittedly an unusual course, but the present conditions are so abnormal that we are forced to regard quotas as necessary. The dislocation of trade allows the uneconomic dumping of foreign surpluses at prices unrelated to production costs. “We arc prepared to discuss at an appropriate tamo the application of the quota to selected articles which New Zealand '.ports. “New Zealand is concerned regarding the threatened flooding of the markets on which she relies. She also considers that the imposition of a quota by Britain upon dairy produce, meat and fruit is urgently necessary. “Wo arc convinced that the quota can be applied without injury to British citizens’ welfare, both as consumers and producers. Indeed, we believe, that, while the quota w- fl safeguard consumers’ interests, it would materially; assist British producers.”

South Africa’s Modest Demands

LONG LIST OF PREFERENCES Received Sunday, 9.50 p.m. OTTAWA, July 23. Following Messrs Coates and Bruce in their elaboration of New Zealand’s and Australia’s practical programmes, Mr. Havenga submitted to tho Conference South Africa’s objectives, the most important of which and of special interest to Australia was South Africa’s claim that she can build up a chilled beef business and actively compete with the Argentine and is therefore doserving of preference. Mr. Havenga says the right of any Dominion to establish and encourage local industries cannot be questioned. South Africa considers tho development of secondary industries a necessary concomitant to the Dominion’s growth. It is a sound policy not to rely entirely upon primary industries. South Africa’s secondary industries have been developed to such a stage that they cannot bo brought to a standstill nor their existence jeopardised. South Africa appreciates the preferential treatment Britain has grantee nnd hopes as a result of the Conference to greatly increase her agricultural exports. A largo percentage of South Africa’s exports are on the free list under tho Import Duties Act. it is admittedly difficult, perhaps impossible, to arrange preferential tariffs on wool, maize, hides and skins, but South Africa, would wolcomc better and .increased marketing facilities for meat, dairy produce and fruit. Hitherto South Africa has not greatly attempted to develop meat export but is now compelled owing to the slump in wool and the instability of the maize markets to consider the advisability of changing her farming system in the direction of meat production. South Africa is favourably situated geographically to enter Britain’s chilled beef trade and there is no reason why South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, South West Africa and the protectorates should not produce a sufficient number of quality cattle regularly to supply chilled beef to Britain. South Africa’s cattle numbering 1.1,500,000 consist largely of unimproved s»jck, but if ensured a remunerative market for chilled beef the necessary .improvement in cattle could and "would be effected in a very short tiifte. Moreover South Africa possesses a sufficient number of well-bred foundation stock to initiate immediately a forward policy of stock improvement. South Africa in order to compete with tho Argentine’s established trado would rwquirc some assistance which she hopes Britain will now seriously consider. Given preferential treatment South Africa could also extend the production of mutton and lamb and become a regular supplier to Britaiu. Regarding the dairy industry which lias developed very rapidly in. the past two years South Africa hopes Britain will-revise her preferences. Foreign competitors have already largely nullified the effects of the 10 per cent, preference by a reduction in their prices. South Africa is also forced to ask Britain for further consideration in regard to fruit and tobacco. Stic already has a .10 per cent, preference for fresh fruit but this cannot effectively assist citrus fruits.

South Africa does not expect a sudden miraculous recovery from the world’s ills but if Britain is willing to mako further concessions South Africa, is prepared favourably to consider requests for additional preferences on commodities, thus benefiting both countries.

Various Committees Appointed Received Sunday, 9.50 p.m. OTTAWA, July 23. Mr. David Jones, New Zealand’s meat delegates, was elected chairman at a meeting at Parliament House of 43 representatives of Empire primary producers, the first such meeting in the Empire’s history. Tho object is to arrange for the experts in the various industries to uuitc forthwith in discussing proposals in the hopo of presenting unanimous plans to the respective delegations. Mr. Jones reviewed the- events leading to tho Conference and emphasised the necessity for concerted action on behalf of the producers. Ho declared that tho interests of the Empire must be paramount. The meeting resolved firstly that prices must be raised; secondly, that while tariffs might be useful it is essential in connection with meat and dairy produce that limitation of foreign imports be imposed. The’meeting appointed the following sectional committees: —

Meat: Mr. D. Jones (New Zealand) chairman; Captain Morris (Britain), Messrs. Angliss, Kattr and Tout (Australia), Sir P. Boys and Mr. Forsyth (New Zealand), Messrs. A. V. Allan and Heaton Nicholls (South Africa), Mr. William Bruce (Scotland), Sir Basil Broom (Ulster), Mr. J. W. Downic (Southern Rhodesia.) Dairy produce: Mr. Goodfellow (New Zealand) chairman; Messrs. T. Baxter and J. G. Stapleton (Britain), Mr. Osborne (Australia), Mr. Allan (South Africa), Sir F. Boys and Mr. Wright (New Zealand), Sir Basil Broom (Ulster.) Fruit and honey: Major Burrows (Canada), chairman; Messrs. Osborne and Mills (Australia), Mr. Napier (New Zealand), Mr. Baxter (Britain), Messrs Marais and Ounniugham (South Africa), Mr. Dowhie (Rhodesia.) Wine: Senator Malan (South Africa) chairman; Mr. Wright (Britain), Mr. Stuttaford (South Africa), Messrs. Laeffer and Salter (Australia.) Sugar: Col. L. S. Amery (Britain) chairman; Messrs. Baxter and Maicolmsou (Britain), Messrs. McNeil, Pike and Powell (Australia), Messrs. Edwards, Nicholls and Saunders (South Africa), Messrs. Bobbins and Lord'

(Fiji-) Wheat; Mr. Sanford Evans

chairman; Messrs. Malcolmson and Morris (Britain), .Messrs. Osborne and Tout (Australia), Mr. Bruce (Scotland), .Mr. Allan (South Africa.) Tobacco: Mr. Marais (South Africa) chairman; Mr. I’ikc (Australia), Mr. Hamilton (New Zealand), Mr. Stullaford (South Africa), Mr. Downic (Rhodesia.) The first meeting of the Empire blitter representatives will be held today, Mr. Bruce and other ministers attending.

Australia’s Proposals

SECTIONS OF INDUSTRY MAY BE RESERVED FOR BRITAIN.

ADDITIONAL CONCESSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED

OTTAWA, July 22. Mr Bruce, in addressing the plenary cession of the Conference, outlined Australia’s objectives. lie said that; Australia was prepared to adhere to all the existing preferences to Britain, and in some e,ases to widen them. Australia also contemplated a further reclassification of her tariff, making available preferentially to Britain protected areas in Australian industry that were not being exploited by Australian manufacturers. She was prepared to widen the preference margins on essential goods which the Commonwealth was not producing, and, with very slight exception, to remove the remaining prohibitions and surcharges imposed in 1930 for financial reasons. Australia was prepared to give earnest consideration to any requests for additional concessions to Britain that were in her power. These proposals were conditional upon wl -t she deemed reasonable British reciprocity.

During 1931 the Boy Scouts of Nova Scotia planted 80,000 trees in various parts ot' tho province as part of a reafforestation plan.