AN OTTAWA PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21247, 29 July 1932, Page 9

AN OTTAWA PROBLEM

MEAT FOR BRITAIN DOMINIONS' HANDICAP STOCK'S MODERATE QUALITY ARGENTINE'S SUPERIORITY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 28. 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 27 Tho Daily Telegraph's agricultural editor expresses tho opinion that it would bo five or ten years before all the meatproducing Dominions could send meat to Britain of tho same quality as Argentine. The foundation stock in most of the Dominions, ho says, are only of moderate quality. They could have been strengthened from herds with first-class breeding stock which for years have been selling in Britain at ordinary commercial prices, but tho opportunities been neglected.

FRUIT AGREEMENT RAPID PROGRESS MADE EXPERTS' PRESENCE VALUABLE OTTAWA, July 27 Although no official committees met today thero was great activity among the delegates to the Empire Conference. There were further meetings of inter-Dominion sub-committees representing various industries. Tho fruit problem was practically solved at a meeting of representatives of that industry when tho leaders of the delegations wore present. An agreement was reached in an hour and a-half, and the case, which is based on tho same principles as butter and meat, namely, preference plus a quota, is now ready for immediate presentation to the British Ndelegates. Everybody connected with tho fruit industry is extremely pleased at the result of the meeting. This rapid progress with the problems of butter, meat and fruit indicates the incalculable advantage of having exports in those industries on the spot. It is facilitating thoroughly businesslike discussions, inasmuch as all are intimately acquainted with their subjects. Political loaders are taking a minor part at this stage of the proceedings so far as commodities are concerned. There is every indication, \inless a hitch unexpectedly arises, that the conference will successfully conclude earlier than the most optimistic predicted. Probably every item of the lengthy agenda will be adjusted to permit the British delegates to embark by the Empress of Britain on August 20 at Quebec. They have pencilled berths on that liner. The leaders of the Dominions' delegations, with Mr. S. M. Bruce as spokesman, met Mr. Neville Chamberlain, Mr. Walter Runciman and Sir John Gilmour and presented the Dominions' meat proposals. They say they are convinced that Britain ultimately will give some concession.

AUSTRALIAN SUGAR PLEA FOR LOWER PRICES QUEENSLAND'S ATTITUDE BRISBANE, July 28 At a conference called to discuss the sugar agreement, Mr. A. J. McLachlan, Vice-President of the Executive Council, on behalf of the Federal Government, appealed for a reduction in the domestic price of sugar. The Minister said the Commonwealth Government was in no sense hostile to the Australian sugar industry. The Premier of Queensland, Mr. Porgan Smith, made it plain that so far as the Queensland Government was concerned as one party to the contract the agreement ■would stand. He said, it seemed extraordinary to him that, whereas the Ottawa Conference was considering raising price levels, they should be having a conference at which they were asked to reduce price levels.

Mr. Smith said his Government took the view that the agreement which was entered into after a complete and exhaustive inquiry should be honoured by both Governments in its entirety, and that the conditions of the industry should not ija any way be disturbed. QUOTA SYSTEM MR. s COATES' REMARKS "NO SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE" [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Thursday "No special significance attaches at the moment to statements made by Mr. Coates at the opening of the Empire Economic Conference at Ottawa concerning the application of the quota system to New Zealand's imports," said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, when the remarks in question were referred to him.

Mr. Coates said in his opening speech that New Zealand would bo prepared to discuss at the appropriate time the application of the quota system to selected articles which New Zealand imported. He was referring at the time to the application of the quota to non-Empiro commodities placed on the Empire markets, and he said New Zealand was concerned with tho threatened flooding of the markets she supplied with primary produce. Discussing these statements, Mr. Forbes said that at a time like the present, when trade wa3 much dislocated, the Dominion was prepared to discuss any proposals at all that might be brought forward to assist Empire trading. It was vitally necessary that New Zealand should preserve her markets overseas arid any plan that might be suggested whereby this would be assured would receive consideration. It would remain for any proposal to apply the quota system to New Zealand imports to be thoroughly discussed before the Dominion would bo able to say even whether this course would be desirable or possible of achievement with practical results. New Zealand looked to Britain for certain concessions, but in return, the Dominion would have to be prepared to assist the Old Country. What form any plan might tako would remain to be seen. Mr. Coates' reference to the quota lor imports was merely one proposal of many that might be considered at Ottawa.