MEAT FOR BRITAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18596, 5 January 1935, Page 5

MEAT FOR BRITAIN

DEMAND FOR RESTRICTION

AUSTRALIA'S ACCEPTANCE

"PURELY TEMPORARY"

(Elec. Ti'l. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received January 5, 11 ".in.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 4.

The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons. to-night made the following statement concerning the export, of meat to Britain.

"The Commonwealth Government has made proposals to modify the three months' programme suggested by the British Government. Wo have at the same time indicated this to be a purely temporary anangement and that we are, in the mutual interests of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, opposed to any general or permanent policy of restriction. The whole problem will be discussed between the two Governments during, the forthcoming visit of Commonwealth Ministers to London. In the meanwhile, no details can be-given, at the matter is still subject, to cable messages, but it can be stated, that ivory step has been taken to protect the interests of producers and exporters of Australian meat." It is believed that, while unable to accept quotas for the various classes ol meat suggested by Britain, the Federal Ministry has made counter proposals which requite tho serious attention of the British Government. WARNING BY AUSTRALIA. It is reliably stated that the Commonwealth Government has informed the British Government that should the latter take steps to permanently restrict Australian meat exports, there will undoubtedly be a reaction against a further development of the Australian market for British goods. The cablegram also insisted that Australia should maintain certain progressive all-round exports under the Ottawa agreement if she were to balance her trade and meet overseas interest obligations.

SHORT-TERM RESTRICTION

SYDNEY, Jan. 4

Tho Sun says that until the position has been clarified by a full statement of the conditions governing the acceptance by the Commonwealth of Britain's demand for the restriction of meat exports, local interests will be unable to judge the effect of the Commonwealths' decision. Although not officially announced, the. Federal Cabinet has agreed to Britain's request for a voluntary restriction for a short term, preferably the first three months of the year.

LONDON COMMENT LONDON. Jan. 4. The Times, in welcoming the AngloTrish agreement, alludes to, the Australian decision ami says that the Cabinet's condition respecting negotiations covering tho whole ground of trade relations between Empire countries should present no difficulty. Regulation in some form or other teems now assured. Though increased supplies from the lure Rtate will not be balanced by decreased supplies from other countries already covered by agreements, or from other parts of the Empire, means may well be found to provide that the total supplies coming to the British market are not increased. Moreover, it is a legitimate deduction that the subsidy may be continued beyond the period for which it is already granted.