Meat Quota Cut Discussed

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1939, Page 7

Meat Quota Cut Discussed

[Per Press Association.— copyright] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

The seriousness of the British Government’s reduction by three per cent, on last year’s importations of Dominion frozen meat was suggested in figures quoted last evening by Mr D. H. Acland, President of the New Zealand Sheep-Owners’ Federation.

Mr Acland said that the restriction appeared to be based on last year’s tonnage. That was the lowest for New Zealand since the Ottawa Agreement was made.

Under the Ottawa Agreement, New ' Zealand was allowed 195,000* tons, with 5000-ton increases. Last year the tonnage was 185,000, and the Dominion was, under the new regulations, to be cut three per cent, on the 185,000 tons. Based on Tonnage. . The second point made by Mr Acland was that the restriction was placed on tonnage, not on the number of carcases. Last year the average weight of New Zealand lambs was more than lib. below that in 1936. The average weight was under 33 lbs., and two years ago over 341bs. In 1938, 9,000,000 quarters were exported. “It cannot for a moment be seriously contended that the fall in prices in England was due to increased supplies from New Zealand,” Mr Acland said. J '

“The restriction on Australia and New Zealand jointly, running into, say, 8000 tons of mutton and lamb, cannot possibly affect prices in England.”