CATTLE FROM IRELAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22000, 5 January 1935, Page 8

CATTLE FROM IRELAND

The agreement between the Governments of Great Britain and the Irish Free State, by which an increased quota of cattle from Ireland will be received, in return for a complete monopoly of the Irish coal import trado, is a very interesting development. It must be understood at the outlet that it does not mean the waiving of penal duties put on Irish produce as a result of the refusal to pay land annuities. These were imposed in July, 1932, and increased from 20 to 30 per cent in 1933. The quantitative restriction on cattle was imposed by special order in December, 1933, being confirmed by Parliament in the following February. The effect of the order was to reduce by 50 per cent, compared with 1933 quantities, the number of fat cattle, and by 12£ per cent the number of store cattle admitted from the Irish Free State after January 1, 1934. The business was handled by Mr. Walter Elliot, who said the action was taken to avoid further reductions in the price of cattle. He said, with special emphasis, that the Government was acting solely from economic considerations. The manner in which the drastic restriction is being relaxed is particularly worthy of note. For the first time since Britain's policy of trade regulation was launched, an agreement has been made with an individual Empire country, and concession has been matched with concession. When New Zealand asked what the response would be to the wholesale removal of duties on British manufactured goods, the reply was that separate bargains could not be made with individual Dominions, /l separate bargain has been made with the Free State. There are, however, two special circumstances. No other Empire country has had anything like a 50 per cent cut put on any export commodity. Further, there is no Dominion offering a market for Welsh coal, and the claims of the coal trade have a very special influence on British policy. They have even been responsible for a relaxation of restrictions Mr. Elliot has had imposed. Further, it is quite evident, from the tone of the cable messages, that however well supplied the meat market may be, homekilled beef is not over-plentiful. A shortage of store cattle is plainly hinted also. These arc the circumstances. The point now to be watched is what influence, if any, this Irish agreement will have on the current negotiations with the other meatproducing Dominions.