PREPERPNTIAL TRADE AND THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 30 March 1904, Page 19

PREPERPNTIAL TRADE AND THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

(Australian Meat Trades Journal.) We hear- it constantly stated that a duty of 5 or 10 per cent, on meat from outside the British&Empire would' not stop Argentina and other countries from pouring their I meat into Great Britain, and we quite agree with that opinion. But there are other sides of the question to be looked at. First of all, it means that we in Australia will be materially assisted, even by that duty ; it will equalise the difference in freight if it does little els©. Again, vve shall get the same privilege in South Africa; and instead of Argentina being able to so easily undersell us there, she would have to meet tho same duties in that country. To New Zealand it means a lot, and whether Australia agrees to it or not is of little consequence ; she would be forced to follow th© ' lead of New Zealand or be left cut in the cold. We have recognised tlio dana&r for years.

Captain Pearso has twice, given evidence before commissions appointed by the New Zealand Government, and referred to this matter. The one in 1901 appointed to inquire into the advisability of fedeiflting with Australia.

Question : "Is it your idea that foreign products should be subjected to a certain tax as against our colonial products? 1 ' Answer: "As against the cheap labour of foreign countries, it is the only thing to do to save our own people. Tho competition of the Argentina will reduce the price of butter by 2d a. pound, as it has reduced the price of mutton already."' Again, in 1903, before the Commerce Committee appointed in New Zealand to report on the frozen meat trade.

Question : "You strongly urge the adoption of Mr Chamberlain'? policy?" Answer: "I dp, very strongly. I belie\e the very institution of -this preferential tariff will put hundreds of thousands of acres under cultivation which it will not pay now to cultivate." QuestionV. "You think that the future prosperity of the colonies largely depends upon the adoption of Mr Chamberlain's scheme?" 'Answer: "I do. I think it is either that, or we must face a lessened cost of production, which means longer hours of work and lower wages." Question : "Have you any personal interest in Argentina ?"— "Could I have any personal interest if I strongly advocate the English Government putting Id per pound on Argentina meat and Id per pound on butter? The whole of my interests are here, and my favourite country is New Zealand, exoepting England. I .say again that preferential trade is our safety, and that it means handicapping the Argentine."

The fight is going to hs a stiff .one, but we believe these colonies will yet stop experimental democratic legislation and go in for solid business, and when they do they can hold their own with any country in the world.