THE MEAT SITUATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22005, 11 January 1935, Page 8

THE MEAT SITUATION

An Australian announcement reveals agreement between Great Britain and the Commonwealth on the question of meat shipments for the next three months. Only the vaguest indication of what has been arranged has been given, and there is absolutely nothing to show whether the conditions accepted apply to Australia alone or will be of general application. This is most unsatisfactory. Admittedly Governments have to handle negotiations of the kind, but the commodity affected is not their property. It belongs to a large number of individual producers. Secrecy and frequent partial statements must have a disturbing influence on marketing. In any case the farmers have a right to know something of what is being done with their fate and their future. Whatever may be obscure, it is evident that Australia has found a way out of the recent deadlock without accepting the principle of quota restrictions. Dr. Earle Page says so definitely. This outcome is very largely a vindication of the attitude the Commonwealth Government adopted in the negotiations. It was entirely logical, and it need not have been in any way unfriendly or aggressive. If Britain is determined to impose a meat quota for the sake of the home producer, the Dominions, in the light of previous statements and of their own policies of protection, have no option save to accept the situation with the best possible grace. That necessity brings no obligation to go forward voluntarily and embrace the principle of the quota. By refusing to do this, by making a counterproposal Britain has found acceptable, Australia has maintained a position of strength without leaving any reasonable ground for resentment. That much, at least, is' apparent from what has been made public.