BRITISH MEAT MARKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21249, 1 August 1932, Page 9

BRITISH MEAT MARKET

, CASE FOR DOMINIONS IMPORTANT DIFFICULTIES SUPPLIES FROM ARGENTINA By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright OTTAWA, July 29 A tentative but authoritative British view has been secured regarding the outcome of tho Dominions' meat proposals. While the exigencies of bargaining may impel Britain to accede a small duty on meat, there are special considerations apart from extensive financial interests in Argentina which make tho British delegation reluctant to remove meat from the free list. There is no certainty that a small duty would increase tho price of meat to the British housewife. It is noted that the butter price has actually fallen since the 10 per cent duty was imposed, and that there lias been no steady drop in the general market, but everyone hopes the prices of primary products: will shortly have a natural rise, in which case the public would contribute tho amount of duty, however small, in tho increased price of meat. Britain might decide, for the sake of the Dominions, that it is worth while to increase tho duties on butter, cheese and eggs from tho present 10 per cent to 15 per cent, but when it comes to tho ques- ; Lion of removing wheat and meat from | the free list it provokes discussion because ! it affects tho basic commodities. A slogan i which above all others would excite the I British public against the Government would be: "They are Taxing Bread and j Meat." Factor ol Better Quality Stock ! While the British Government might be i able to persuade the public that they have j gained sufficient concessions from the Do- ! minions to justify such a duty, tlTe delo- | gation realises that within, say, two years i there would bo bitter criticism because ! the natural increase of prices in the ! interim would bo blamed to the removal j of wheat and meat from tho free- list. The British delegates consider that it j is problematical whether the> Dominions j would gain an appreciable advantage from i a small duty on meat even if, with the j marketing conditions continuing as at ' present, the prices underwent a slight j natural increase. The view at present taken i is that unless tho Australians and South African:! could rapidly make enormous im- ! provements in the quality of their stock ! they would be asking the British consumer ! to curtail tho consumption of a high grade Argentine article and eat a larger quantity of an inferior article. It is logical that the British housewife will warmly resent coercion to buy inferior beef at a higher price. Such result —which the British Government would hesitate to bring about, knowing it would imperil a swing of public opinion—in an ! industrial Country liko Britain might j eventually turn public sentiment against | Imperial preferences as being bought too i dearly. !Na Higher Price to Consumer i As far as the British farmer is concerned i ho has already suffered greatly through the fall of lamb and mutton prices, but the marked discrepancy always prevailing between the English fresh meat and tho imported meat means that lie would practically bo unaffected by any small duty imposed on the foreign product. | The whole crux of the Dominions' case, particularly the Australian case, is that a quantitative restriction would not actually, and need not be permitted to, raise the price of beef to tho British consumer. Without the quota, Argentina would be able to flood the British market in all seasons, even selling below cost or at least undercutting the frozen beef, which the Dominions consider should have some protection. They have made meat the strongest | plank of the conference programme, real- | ising that if the present conditions are j allowed to continue the great Australian j primary industry would be in a hopeless I condition. I ARGENTINE'S INTERESTS PREFERENCE FOR BRITAIN PLAN BEING CONSIDERED British Wireless RUGBY, July 29 The Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday stated, with reference to recent reports, that while the importance of an exchange of views with the United States will receive duo consideration at a more opportune moment, the attention of the Argentine Government has been concentrated on commercial relations with Britain. A plan for preferential treatment for British goods is being considered and is responsiblo for the presence in Buenos Aires of Dr. Malbran, Argentine Ambassador to London. BUTTER PROPOSALS INACCURATE REPORT ACTUAL POSITION STATED OTTAWA, July 29 An inaccurato report has been published plating that the butter proposals of the Dominions include a request that Britain should reduce foreign butter imports from 206,000 tons a year to 117,000. It is officially stated that the proposals, while seeking the introduction of the quota, particularly refrain from specifying any definite figures. The proposals also request an increase in preference from Id to 2d per lb. A suggestion for a blunt request for a certain, specified, quantitative restriction was vetoed by an overwhelming majority of the Dominions. It was considered a more polite and more sound method to endeavour to get the principle of tho quota established, then to discuss tho quota details with Britain later. Tho Dominion delegations deplore the incorrect version, which may possibly prejudico tho negotiations. Tho butter proposals have reached the third stage. The first was the Dominion agreement regarding the requests, the second was the reference of tho proposals to tho British delegation, and tho third tho discussion of details between the British and Dominion officials, who will next deal with meat and fruit. The fourth stage will be further discussions between the British and Dominion delegations, and tho fifth Britain's decisions.