DOMINION MEAT TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 12

DOMINION MEAT TRADE

Six weeks after the opening of the half-year to which it relates, another agreement on beef imports has been concluded between Britain and overseas suppliers, including New Zealand. Quotas have now been fixed within which exporting countries must work until June 30. These short-term agreements have been reached only after long negotiations and unsettling delays. They are particularly unsatisfactory to the producer, who cannot plan ahead with any certainty, although to breed and mature beef cattle occupies years, not months. In fairness to the British Government, it should be recalled that it made a sustained effort last year to replace the present hand-to-mouth agreements by a long-term policy. This involved the acceptance by the Dominions and Argentina of an import levy, and they preferred to stand on the existing pacts. Britain's hands will not be freed in respect of Argentine meat until October 31, and of Dominion meat until the expiry of the Ottawa agreements in August of next year. Meanwhile the British Government has taken authority to subsidise British beef producers until it is quit of its commitments to Argentina. Britain is hopeful that she will then be able to secure the Dominions' adhesion to a long-term policy covering all her suppliers. It would certainly be in the Dominions' interests £o waive their small remaining right to a free market if they could secure sufficiently favourable terms over foreign countries. A long-term agreement would be a great gain in itself. Apparently Australia recognises this and is sending Dr. Page to represent its interests in London. New Zealand should not be behindhand in negotiations in which she has a much larger interest, both proportionately and absolutely. It may be hoped that the Government is impressed by the issues at stake in this and the dairy produce trade, and will ensure that New Zealand's case is powerfully presented in London by sending the strongest delegation available.\