ANGLO-IRISH PACT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21999, 4 January 1935, Page 9

ANGLO-IRISH PACT

IMPORTANT MOVE

PURCHASES ARRANGED

CATTLE FOR BRITAIN

FREE STATE TAKES COAL

SECRET NEGOTIATI ON S

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received Januarr 3 9.35 p.in.) LONDON. Jan. 3 The Daily Telegraph's political correspondent says that secret negotiations between Britain and the Irish Free State have resulted in an important trade agreement.

The Free State undertakes to purchase the whole of her coal from Britain which, in return, agrees to additional imports of Irish cattle. British coal thus will gain an extra £1,000,000 worth of sales per year. The agreement was negotiated by the Dominions Secretary, Mr. ,J. H. Thomas, the President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Walter Runoiman, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Walter Elliot, and the Free State's High Commissioner in London, Mr. J. W. Dulanty.

The writer says the scheme roughly means that for every £1 the Free Stato spends on coal over and above her present imports Britain "will spend an equivalent amount on cattle, the I roe State to refrain from renewing the present contracts with German and Polish coal exporters. It is expected that Britain will take 150,000 head of cattle in excess of tho present quota allocation, and these cattle will not be liable to the special duty imposed in respect of the default on kind annuities.

The Financial News says tho cattle and coal agreement will not bo officially announced until tho current negotiations with the Dominions with reference to the restriction of their beef exports have been completed.