FRUIT TRADE

Southland Times, Issue 21772, 29 July 1932, Page 5

FRUIT TRADE

DOMINIONS AGREE PREFERENCE AND QUOTA WORK WELL ADVANCED INDICATIONS OF SUCCESS (United Press Assn.— Telegraph Copyright.) Ottawa, July 27. The fruit problem has been practically solved. The representatives of the fruit industry in all the dominions met this morning with the leaders of the delegations and an agreement was reached in 90 minutes. The case, which is based on the same principles, as the butter and meat cases, namely preference plus the quota, is now ready for immediate presentation to the British delegates. Everybody connected with the industry is extremely pleased with the result. The delegates considered their concrete proposals in which Canada is chiefly interested in apples as are also, to a lesser degree, Australia and New Zealand. South Africa is interested in citrus and luxury fruits, Canada, Australia and South Africa in pears, West em Australia and South Africa in fresh grapes. Australia is also enormously interested in canned and dried fruits. Business-like Methods. This rapid progress on the question of butter, fruit and meat indicates the incalculable advantage of having industry experts on the spot for facilitating thoroughly business-like discussions, inasmuch as all are intimately acquainted with the subjects. The political leaders are taking a minor part at this stage in the proceedings as far as commodities are concerned. Thus there is every indication, unless a hitch unexpectedly arises, that the conference will successfully conclude earlier than the most optimistic predicted, and that probably evei-y item on the lengthy agenda will be adjusted to permit the British delegates to embark at Quebec on August 20 on the Empress of Britain on which they have pencilled berths. Mr Coates will bring up at the conference the question of. unemployment with a view to establishing a committee of experts to investigate the relief systems operating throughout the Empire and collating any information likely to be valuable. Although no official committee met to-day, nevertheless there is great conference activity. Further meetings were held of the inter-dominion industry sub-committees, notably fruit. Meat Case Presented. The dominion delegation leaders with Mr Bruce as spokesman, met Mr Chamberlain, Mr Runciman and Sir. John Gilmour and presented the dominions meat proposals. Inasmuch as the plan has been considered and is a unanimous dominions’ scheme, the delegations are convinced that Britain ultimately will give some concession. Mr Coates enjoyed a flight over Ottawa this morning with a war-time comrade, J. A. Rogers, a resident of Toronto, piloting his own plane. It was the first occasion that Mr Coates had snatched a couple of hours leisure since the conference opened. Mr Downie Stewart and he have been working until 2 o’clock every mornCanada desires to postpone consideration of cereals and base metals until next week. Australia and South Africa are alone interested in sugar and wines, the discussion of which has not yet been fixed. QUALITY OF MEAT ARGENTINE’S ADVANTAGE. (Rec. 8.50 p.m.) London, July 28. The agricultural editor of the Daily Telegraph expresses the opinion that it will be five or ten years before all the meat-producing dominions are able to send meat of the same quality as the Argentine. The foundation stocks of most dominions are only of moderate quality. They could have strengthened their herds with first class breeding stock which for years have been selling in Britain at orainary commercial prices, but the opportunities were neglected. FILLIP TO LABOUR FEAR OF FOOD TAXES. (Rec. 7 p.m.) London, July 28. Mr J. Banfield, the successful Labour candidate in the Wendesbury by-elect-ion, declared that there was no doubt that a tremendous fillip had been given to Labour by the people’s fear that the Ottawa Conference was going to result in the taxation of wheat and meat.