THE MEAT CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21990, 22 December 1934, Page 10

THE MEAT CRISIS

A new and dramatic turn in the meat quota discussions is indicated. While the report that Australia is being threatened with reprisals for refusing to accept the scheme of temporary restrictions may be unofficial, the statement that Mr. Lyons has summoned a meeting of the Federal Cabinet and the Meat Advisory Council for December 28 is definite. These two bodies would not have been called together in the height of the holiday season without good cause. Yet there should surely be no reason for the extreme tension indicated. It. has not been proved that the consent of Australia or any Dominion to meat restrictions is essential. No doubt the British Government would prefer lo proceed by agreement, but on the known facts its hands are not so tied that if is rendered powerless by opposition. This being so, the alleged threat of reprisals is all the more remarkable. Incidentally, when

New Zealand addressed an academic inquiry to Britain about possible concessions if free entry were Riven to British manufactured woods, the official reply was that separate barpaining with and individual treatment of one Dominion were not feasible. That policy, applied in reverse, should forbid official reprisals against Australia for rejecting the British plan. When, some time ago, Mr. Elliot wanted to impose a levy on all imported meat for the benefit of the home producer. Argentina resisted the scheme, and, secure in her treaty rights, defeated it. There was no suggestion then, at least none was revealed, about reprisals against Argentina Australia should be able to claim at least equal indulgence. In any evert if the restrictions can be applied without agreement, their imposition on a protesting Commonwealth should be reprisal enough. The whole circumstances sugnrost th.nt there is more in the meat discussions than has been made public. In the interests of the producers whose fate is involved, there should not be this secrecy.