MEAT QUESTION

Southland Times, Issue 21771, 28 July 1932, Page 7

MEAT QUESTION

DOMINIONS’ CASE UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT REACHED BASIS OF DISCUSSION (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Ottawa, July 26. The Dominion representatives today unanimously agreed upon a joint case regarding the meat proposals, which vzill be presented to Mr Neville Chamberlain and Sir John Gilmour by the Ministers of the countries concerned, namely, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Rhodesia and the Free State. This represents unexpectedly rapid progress following upon the speedy agreement on butter. The delegates had been prepared for at least a week’s discussion on either subject before Empire unity was achieved. Mr S. M. Bruce presided at a meeting of meat representatives of all the dominions. The question whether British meat and agricultural interests should be represented had been discussed in view of the great importance to British farmers and meat producers of any control of imported meat. It was decided, however, that Englishmen should not be invited because that would possibly have embarrassed the British Government when eventually reaching a decision. The proposals which formed the basis of discussion were as follows: Beef, mutton, lamb, pork and veal, which now carry a preferential Empire tariff, should all be free. The proposed full foreign tariff is: Per pound. d Beef Mutton la Lamb 2 Pork Jz Veal lz Preferential foreign tariff: Per pound. d Beef | Muttop 5 Lamb 1 Pork ;* Veal i

Canada indicated that she was interested in bacon and cattle on the hoof. Canada is the only dominion able to send mild-cured bacon to Britain because the problem of carrying it across the Tropics has not been solved. Australia, however, is keenly interested in raising bacon prices from the present 55/- to between 75/- to 80/-. She could then export, frozen pig carcasses at a profitable price, enabling British curing factories to recommence operations. Australia and New Zealand are the only dominions vitally interested in mutton and lamb. Australia’s greatest interest is in beef. South Africa’s new and extraordinarily keen interest in beef is the outstanding feature. Australia has been lengthily in communication with British agricultural interests, recognizing in them a strong ally, inasmuch as they supply half Britain’s beef requirements, also substantial proportions of bacon and lamb. They are closely following the possibility of a quota upon foreign importations.