MEAT DISCUSSIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22098, 2 May 1935, Page 7

MEAT DISCUSSIONS

IMPORTANT STAGE REACHED FULL DOMINION ATTENDANCE GENERAL TRADE RELATIONS The turn which the meat discussions will take when they are resumed on the arrival in London next week of the Prime Minister of New Zealand! Mr. G. W. Forbes, claims the attention of the meat industry in the Dominion at present. A cablegram from London published yesterday stated that the preliminary discussions between British and Australian Ministers had reached a stage where tho other Dominions can be called in. Whatever attitude the other Dominions may take, it is evident that Australia is definitely opposed to a levy on imports of meat to Britain. The British Government wished to impose a levy, preferential to the Dominions, and at the same time lift tho restrictions on foreign shipments, which were agreed to at the Ottawa Conference. it is probable that Australia would have agreed to a levy, provided the foreign restrictions were maintained. In a reasoned reply to the British White Paper issued recently New Zealand stated "that it regretted it could not voluntarily support the principle of a levy." Cost of Beef Subsidy It is difficult to see how tho British proposals could find universal acceptance, and this,acceptance must be obtained during tho currency of tho Ottawa agreement and the British agreement with Argentina. Great Britain cannot impose a tariff without consent until November, 1936, in the case of Argentina, and until August, 1937, in the case of tho Dominions. A levy, with the lifting of foreign restrictions, would not find acceptance with the Dominions, while a levy, with the restrictions still in force, is not likely to appeal to Argentina. Actually Britain proposed definitely the lifting of ail restrictions, which accounts for the Dominion opposition. If tho levy principle is abandoned, and that is the likely outcome on present indications, the British Ministers state that they will be forced to restrict imports drastically, as it is impossible to continue the home-grown beef subsidy after June. This subsidy is costing the Government between £6,000,000 and £7,000,000 a year, a heavy drain on revenue., At the Ottawa Conference Britain reserved the right to restrict Empire imports after June, 19.'54, "if necessary to safeguard the interests of her home producers." The agreement with Argentina provides that no further restrictions will he imposed on Argentina meat unless similar restrictions are imposed on Empire meat. Australia States Alternative An important question at present is whether general trade relations between Britain and the Dominions will influence tho discussions or bo affected by them. A startling announcement was made recently in the Commonwealth House of Representatives by Dr. Earle Page, acting-Prime Minister of Australia and Minister of Commerce. Dr. 'Pago said: "If Great Britain insists on a policy of restricting exports, then my attitude on certain industries—even uneconomic industries —will undergo a change, since it will be necessary to provide employment for our people." Although Dr. Page has impressed some people as being prone to over-statement, the inference that Australia will again tread the path of high protection is clear. New Zealand has not made challenges to British interests, but the same idea, in a modified form, was expressed by the Government in its replv to the British proposals for a lew'on meat. The Government stated: "We fear that the proposal to impose a lew on all meats imoorted into the United Kingdom would so damage our external trade as to bring into prominence the whole question of tariff revision in New Zealand." FOREIGN COMPANIES INCREASE IN RECENT YEARS DISCRIMINATION QUESTION The intense economic nationalism of the last year or two has resulted mainly in the type of discrimination against the foreigner which finds expression in restrictions on his exports and on the means of paying for them. Lately business men in various parts of the world have been concerned about the ;possibility of a new kind of discrimination, directed not against imports from foreign' countries, but against foreignowned or foreign-controlled companies operating in the country imposing the discriminatory measures. [n its official journal, World Trade, the International Chamber of Commerce points out that the short period for which most new commercial treaties are now concluded introduces a further element of insecurity for foreign companies. Out of 196 commercial treaties concluded before the war, 112 wore for periods of more than five years. Of 307 treaties concluded after tho war, only 40 were ior more than five vears. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of foreign companies, the journal states. I rade bin - riersi have reduced the export of goods, but have increased the export of factories. Finding that, 'owing to insurmountable tariffs and other resti lotions, the foreign market was becoming more or less closed to the manufactured products of tho home factory, tho factory itself has been transported to the foreign market. For these different reasons the legal, fiscal, and civil treatment of foreign-owned and foreigncontrolled companies calls for much more careful attention than at any time during tho last 50 years. Longterm investments, amounting < to millions of money, have been sunk since the war in tho establishment of branch plants in numerous cohntrios. These have, strengthened the national industrial equipment of the country where they operate, and provide considerable employment for national labour. No doubt should be allowed u> subsist that such investments may in the future be subject to penalties in the way of discriminatory fiscal or legal treatment on account of their "nationality." WHOLESALE EGG PRICES The wholesale price of duck eggs will be reduced by 2d a dozen to-day, but hen eggs are unchanged. Current values arc ns follows: —Hen, first grade, 2Jd a dozen; B grade, Is 9Jd; C grade. Is 6-Jd; duck. Is 9Jd, Is 7|d. Is 6Jd. FEWER APPRENTICES A shrinkage in the attendances at industrial classes of the Wellington Technical College is causing the director and the Board of Governors concern, ancl an effort is to be made to encourage more youths to take advantage of the training available. The matter was discussed at the last meeting of the board, members agreeing that the reduction of the number of apprentices indentured was responsible for the reduced size of the classes.