AUSTRALIAN MEAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18420, 5 December 1921, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN MEAT

ACCUMULATED STOCKS IN LONDON,

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 3. (Received Dec. 4, at 8.5 p.m.) Mr M. L. Shepherd, Mr A. H. Ashbolt, Sir James Allen, Sir J. D. Connolly, and Mr J. Hunter waited as a deputation on Mr Churchill in reference to co-operation in buying up the accumulated stocks of Australasian beef. Representatives of the Board of Trade, the Overseas Trade Department, and the Treasury accompanied Mr Churchill. Mr Shepherd' presented a written statement outlining the proposals, which were designed to clear the market prior to the arrival of new shipments, and to ensure the rehabilitation of the reputation of Australian beef in Great Britain. Mr Shepherd suggested that financial assistance was anticipated, but even with assistance it would be impossible to clear off the stocks under four or five months. Meanwhile the Australasian trade was suffering. Meat works were closing down, and shipments are restricted. Sir James Allen, Sir J. D. Connolly, Mr Hunter, and Mr Ashbolt supported Mr Shepherd. Sir P. Lloyd Greame, Overseas Trade Representative, explained that the department was conducting food relief in Central Europe, and would co-operate in the disposition of stocks for relief purposes if the Government authorised it.

Mr Churchill was warmly sympathetic, and was anxious to help financially and otherwise. He discussed with the deputation various schemes. He did not decide finally, but suggested that the deputation should formulate definite proposals and renew the interview next week, upon which he would ask Cabinet to authorise the expenditure.—A. and N.Z. Cable.