ULTIMATUM DENIED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18588, 24 December 1934, Page 5

ULTIMATUM DENIED

MR. BRUCE’S POSITION

BRITISH MEAT IMPORTS

LONDON PRESS SENSATION

(Klee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) LONDON, Dec. 22.

The Daily Herald features a report that Mr. S. M. Bruce has issued an ultimatum to the Government, which may involve his own resignation, in consequence of his disapproval to the opposition to the British meat proposals. Mr. Bruce told the Government that it must either accept the plan or take the consequences. The Daily Herald states that Mr. Bruce and other Dominion representatives approved Mr. Walter Elliot’s plan.- It is understood that Mr. Elliot convinced Mr.. Bruce of the soundness of Australia accepting a temporary scheme on the grounds (1) that prices will improve and producers will get a larger payment for less meat; (2) at the conclusion of the ' Argentine agreement the British Government will have a free hand, and in its long-term policy may levy Id per lb. on foreign meat and per lb. on Dominion; and (3) a larger market would 'be found for Dominion chilled - beef at the expense oT foreign supplies. When the Australian Press Association saw Mr. Bruce at the conclusion of the discussion on December 1, he was obviously seriously perturbed. He kept his confidential staff on duty late to send a detailed report tp the Government, but did not hint that tho outcome might affect his personal position. His departure for the Riviera was in accordance with his usual custom of holidaying abroad at Christmas.

It is officially stated at Australia House that any report that Mr. Bruce sent any message to the Commonwealth Government on the meat or any other question in the nature of an ultimatum or a threat of resignation, is totally unfounded. This statement was issued following the Daily Herald’s statement, which occupied almost half' the front page.