MEAT EXPORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21857, 20 July 1934, Page 11

MEAT EXPORTS

AUSTRALIA'S STAND BRITISH RESTRICTIONS WHY PLAN WAS WITHDRAWN TARIFF ACTION THREATENED By Telesmpli—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 39. 8.15 p.m.) CANBERRA, July 1!) In the course of an address to a conference of State Ministers of Agriculture and tlie Federal Meat Advisory Committee to-day Mr. F. H. Stewart, Minister of Trade and Commerce, read the text of a strongly-worded cablegram recently sent to the British Government. The communication stated that if the meat restriction proposals were persisted in Australia would not be able to make any tariff concession 011 British goods in the forthcoming Budget. The effect of restrictions would be so serious to the economic life of Australia as to jeopardise the stability of the primary industries and the Government would not be able to continue the process of reducing the tariff 011 British goods. It was also emphasised in the cablegram that to restrict meat imports from Australia before the main Ottawa agreement. expired in August, 1937, would be a violation of the spirit of that agreement, although technically Britain had the right to impose restrictions after •June .'iO this year. Mr. Stewart said that, following upon the Commonwealth's representations the British Government had withdrawn for two years all the restriction proposals and only minor questions now remained for settlement. The Minister's statement was loudly applauded and the Government's attitude warmly approved.. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyous, accordingly will announce a series of important reductions in duties on British goods.

Tho Government is taking advantage of the conference to create an executive committee which will maintain continuous touch with tho Department of Commerce and be in a position to advise when prompt decisions on matters affecting the meat industry are required.

BRITAIN'S PROBLEM IMPORTS OF BEEF ARGENTINA REJECTS OFFER (Received .Tuly 19, 6.35 p.m.) LONDON. July 10 The exploration of the difficulties in connection with beef imports continues almost daily, but there is 110 indication of progress toward a solution of the question. However, there is confidence that a formula will be found to obviate a continuance of the British subsidy until the pact with Argentina expires in 1936. It is understood that Argentina rejected a British offer of a three-years' extension of the pact in return for Argentina agreeing to an immediate levy of 3d to 4d a lb. on beef, according to currency movements. Argentina considers that levy excessive.