DANISH BACON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21639, 3 November 1933, Page 8

DANISH BACON

Britain's decision to limit the importation of foreign bacon was made known to the world at the time of the Ottawa Conference last year. The chief aim was to develop the pie industry of Britain. but the Dominions were guaranteed their share of the protected market. In the Danish trade agreement, signed in April last, it was specifically stated'that Denmark would be given 62 per cent of the bacon trade allotted to foreign countries. No quantity was, however, mentioned. That had to be determined after the organisation under the Agricultural Marketing Act was completed. This point has been reached, and all foreign suppliers are to be subjected to a cut of Hi per cent. This is a serious matter for Denmark, which in \'X',2 had a bacon trade with Britain that was worth £21.000,000. In 10150 the value was .£27,500,000, the decline having been brought about by the ordinary law of supply and demand. The other foreign suppliers are the Netherlands and Poland, each with an export of about .1)2,500,000 in 1082, Sweden with over £ 1,000,000, and the United States, whose trade was mainly in hams, about £1,750,000. Canada and the Irish Free Stale are I he only Kmpire countries in this market, but their quantities were insignificant in a total trade of £31,000,(100. Denmark, however, knew what, to expect. The terms of tho agreement in respect of bacon were part of a general bargain. Denmark had been purchasing from Britain goods of only one quarter the value of those bought by

Britain from her. Eagerly the Danes sought a treaty, arid for an assured market for 2,300,000cwt. of butter accepted an indefinite limitation of bacon, offered an enlarged market for British coal, and conceded various tar iff benefits for British textiles and other manufactures. But there is resistance to the application of tho bacon plan. Doubtless political power will be exerted in Britain b\ the interests that handle Danish bacon. I'rob a blv it will be asserted 1 hat Britain.is following a policy ol selfish nationalism. But in the face of the heavy trade balance in favour df Denmark this is absurd. Apparently considerable firmness is essential on the part of the British (Joverrnnent to carry out the plain terms of the treaty. It is regrettable that the policy had to lie adopted, but it is essential, and the Danes have no legitimate complaint seeing that in the past (lermany has held the lion's shaie of the Danish market for manufactures without purchasing much of the produce of that count rv.