EMPIRE NEGOTIATIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21253, 5 August 1932, Page 11

EMPIRE NEGOTIATIONS

OTTAWA GATHERING ! CASE FOR AUSTRALIA j I SUBMISSION TO BRITAIN DISCUSSION PROCEEDING By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright OTTAWA. Aug. 3 An official communique issued to-day stated that the final stages of the negotiations between Britain and Australia have j begun. All members of both delegations met this morning for the purpose of work-' ing out the basis of an agreement, which involves Britain disclosing her policy regarding butter, meat and fruit, and also involves Australia explicitly stating the utmost extent of the concessions she can offer. An official spokesman pointed out that this development was possible because the Australian negotiations were further advanced than those of the other Dominions. Thus Australia was first to reach the final stage of the conversations. Other Dominions will follow in the next few days. It is explained that this process does not necessarily mean that bilateral treaties may yet decide the general Empire trade agreements embodied in a multilateral treaty. Meat Experts' Consultation Although the British plan to assist Australia cannot be regarded as the fixed scheme for all other Dominions, nevertheless, it will be vital as an indication of Britain's general policy. The Argentine is eagerly awaiting the news. She still believes that Britain will refuse a meat quota, while opinion is firming at Ottawa that a small quota is certain. The final decisions by Britain are likely to be deferred until similar conversations have been held with the other Dominions interested. After the conversation with Mr. Bruce a similar British conference was held with the Indian delegation. Australian and New Zealand meat experts have been in close consultation with the British and Canadian experts with satisfactory results. Until now the Canadians had not indicated their meat policy, but after friendly discussions, chiefly regarding bacon and. live cattle, in which it was pointed out that Canada's best course was to solidly support the Australian and New Zealand proposals, Canada has warmly agreed. Free Trade Experts Converted The discussions with the British delegates are particularly interesting, inasmuch as some who had hitherto inclined to see a danger of departing from free trade principles have now been won over to the Dominions' point of view. These free trade experts have been converted to the idea that », small meat tariff would not be objectionable if applied in conjunction with a fairly substantial quota. They are grasping the quota scheme as a mean-i of salving their free trade consciences, convinced that the restriction will help both the British and Dominion producers without greatly increasing prices to the British consumer. It is reported than an agreement has been reached between the Canadian timber exporters and the United Kingdom importers, to be submitted to the advisory sections of the conference to-morrow. It is hoped that the plan will give Canada a market of 1,000,000,000 feet in the United Kingdom, equivalent to 50 per cent of her imports. MR. COATES' HOPE SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT PROBLEMS NOT DIFFICULT (Received August 4. 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, Aug. 3 The New Zealand delegates to the Empire Conference emphasise that their problems are comparatively simple. Already they have been thoroughly explained to the British delegation and a general idea has been received in return of what Britain probably can do, Mr. J. G. Coatos says he harbours no doubts about achieving a fully satisfactory trading agreement. A sub-committee has been appointed to consider the establishment of the minimum requirements for grading standards of agricultural products. This question was raised by Mr. Coates, who laid stress on the importance of promoting uniform grading of exported agricultural products. Mr. Coates emphasised the importance of the quality of a product on the development o'f the market, not merely new markets, by encouraging greater consumption in countries already supplied. The New Zealand Government's grading was a substantial help to trade. Inferior products from other countries only injured the market for everybody, ho stated. Mr. Coates is bringing before the conference the alleged unfair competition of subsidised American steamers in the Pacific trade with New Zealand au.d Australian ports. A committee, on which Mr. Coates represents New Zealand, is examining the position. SOUTH AFRICAN MEAT SHIPMENT OF CHILLED (Received August 4, 5.35 p.m.) LONDON. Aug. 4 The first commercial consignment of South African chilled beef, following two experimental shipments, was sold at Smithfield. It fetched one farthing a pound above the heavier Argentine hindquarters. The salesman declared that, though the South Africans have a good deal to learn, this shipment was miles above the initial Argentine shipments. The prospects both for Cape farmers and for tho hope of a self-supporting Empire are vitally important. The South African consignment was on tho hoof on July 11. It is good, clean, bright meat.