MEAT CONTRACT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25049, 13 November 1944, Page 6

MEAT CONTRACT

PKICES AND CONDITIONS VARI JUS ASPECTS-EXPLAINED (P.A.) WANGANUI, Sunday Various aspects of the long-term contract between the Governments of New Zealand and the United Kingdom for the purchase of the exportable surplus of New. Zealand meat for four years from 1944 to 1948 were explained by the chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers Board, Mr G. H. Grigg, in the first statement for publication made by him since the announcement by the Prime Minister, Mr Eraser, of the terms of the contract. Mi- Grigg made his observations in an address to farmers present When the New Zealand chilled beef championship was judged at Wanganui yesterday. "I would point out that the request for the stimulation of production has led to tho long-term contract between the United Kingdom and New Zealand," said Mr Grigg, "and while there is agreement in principle and agreement in general so far as this arrangement is concerned, there are certain aspects regarding prices and conditions which still have to be settled finally between tho two countries. General Scope Outlined "In general the scope of tho four years agreement is likely to bo as follows: —(1) A Government to Government_ sale and purchase agreement covering the total exportable supplies of New Zealand beef; veal, mutton, lamb and frozen sundries, All products named to be as normally graded for export and available for shipment in the period ending September 30, 1948. (2) During the first two years of the agreement (up to September 20/1946), tho quantity of pig meat to be the total of available supplies in New Zealand. the quantity to be purchased in the third and fourth years of the agreement to bo as notified by the United Kingdom Government. (3) Prices as finally settled, together with various conditions of the agreement, to apply for tho first two years of the contract. For the final two years of the contract prices and conditions are subject to review at the instance of either Government on substantial grounds (substantial grounds will be fully defined in the final agreement). (4) In general, the conditions of the contract regarding the preparation of meat for export and the payment and shipment procedure are on the lines of the wartime contracts between tho two Governments. There will be appropriate provisions for consultation at all stages, particularly regarding appropriate arrangements to apply at the conclusion of the four-year contracts.

"Money Belongs to Industry" Mr Grigg discussed details of the opening schedule of prices and said that for the coming season they would mean a substantial aggregato increase in income for producers,

Referring to the subsidy in respect of meat consumed in New Zealand, Mr Grigg said that in discussions with the Government it was stated that prices on tho local market were one of the most difficult problems. "Tho Government again pointed out," Mr Grigg stated, "that two price schedules—one for the local market and one for export —would mean a highly complex problem and an unworkable arrangement. "To sum up matters regarding the Meat Pool' Account and the Meat Industry Stabilisation Account, I want to make it clear that "money obtained through increased meat prices belongs to the industry," Mr Grigg concluded, "and will not be used for any purpose without not merely consultation by the Government, but also by agreement between the board and the Government, That is as clear as words can make it."

ARMISTICE DAY WREATH ON CENOTAPH (Rfcd. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 11 Armistice Day was signalised in London by an equerry on behalf of Their Majesties placing on the Cenotaph in Whitehall a wreath of British Legion poppies made by disabled ex-servicemen. Their Majesties, who have returned to London from Scotland, where they attended the funeral of the Queen's father, the Earl of intended to be present at today's British Legion festival of remembrance in the Alher. Hall, but were unable to attend owing to family mourning. The Allied military commanders in Rome held an Armistice Day review of British. French and American troops in the Palazzo Venezia in front of Mussolini's former headquarters. A British Legion delegation, including Chelsea pensioners, was present at Armistice Day celebrations in the Place du Congress, Brussels. _ British soldiers and airmen also participated.

LONDON'S HEALTH IMPROVEMENT SINCE WAR (Herd. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 11 Encouraging figures of London's health for 1943 have been issued, says the British official wireless. The health of London schoolchildren, it is stated, is considerably better than it was before the war. Diphtheria in the schools has decreased from 3576 in 1938 to 562 last year. During the year 18,045 children were immunised against diphtheria, and bv last July 68 per cent of London's elementary schoolchildren had been immunised. There were 45,036 births (40,654 in 1942), but the infant mortality rate of 51 per 1000 live births was slightly higher than in 1942. (In ]9lB the figure was 108.). RELIEF FOR HOLLAND WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 In a message to Queen Wilhelmina of Holland, President Roosevelt says: "I have been inexpressibly shocked by reports of the savage and wilful destruction being carried out by the Nazi barbarians in the Netherlands. I am confident, however, that the blows being struck by our united forces will soon result in the total liberation of your country. In the meantime you may be sure that all possible steps are being taken to ensure that relief will be made available to the people of the Netherlands."