MEAT FOR SOUTH AFRICA

New Zealand Mail, 29 January 1902, Page 26

MEAT FOR SOUTH AFRICA

SYDNEY, January 20. Mr See, Premier of New South Wales, fully endorses Air Seddoms protest against contracts for army supplies being given to the Argentine. In a cable to the Agent-General, Air See states that preference ought to be given to the British colonies.

The following is the text of the memorandum which forms the basis of the cablegram sent to the Imperial authorities in regard to the meat contracts:— “Premier's Office, Wellington, 24th January, 1902. Memorandum for his Excellency the Governor, —The Premier presents his compliments to his Excellency, and desires that he will by cable advise the Secretary of State for the Colonies that a Press cable here states that in connection with tenders for supplies of meat for the troops in South Africa, a contract has been signed which provides that a portion of the requirements is to ho obtained from the Argentine, on the ground that Australasia cannot supply the whole. The Premier hopes that this information is not correct, as, if so, it is not just to Australia and to this colony, who can supply far in excess of the Mar Office requirements of the very best quality. The Premier strongly urges that New Zealand should be allowed to participate in supplying meat in preference to the Argentine, seeing that New Zealand and Australia’s claims should be considered paramount as compared with those of the Argentine or any other foreign country. The Premier would further ooint out that New Zealand is establishing a direct steam service with South Africa, and had in view the sending of meat there. If the Argentine participates in the meat supplies it will militate against the steam service, and prejudicially affect the colony in respect to its export trade to South Africa. The tender forms were received in tin’s colony too late for New Zealand to tender, and the Premier urges that New Zealand and Australia can supply the quantity required, and to obtain supplies from the Argentine will cause much irritation.— (Signed) 11. J. SEDDON.”