MEAT PROBLEM

Southland Times, Issue 25303, 5 June 1935, Page 7

MEAT PROBLEM

NO AGREEMENT YET NEW, ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA ARBITRATION PROPOSED » < ' ' / — (United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright.) < London, June 3. Mr Walter Elliot presided at a further meeting to discuss the respective Australian and New Zealand percentages for mutton and lamb. Sir Henry Gullett and Mr Coates, with their respective experts, were present. No decision was reached. The Australian ' Press Association, learns that in consequence of the failure of, the Australian and New Zealand experts to reach an agreement it was arranged that if the disagreement continues, the figures should be referred for decision to an arbitrator or arbitrators acceptable to Britain, Australia and New Zealand. In the event of disagreement over the award the British Government itself will decide the issue.

The Australian Press Association understands that the New Zealanders are most disappointed that a quick decision was not obtained, as they feel that they have made every concession in adopting the Ottawa year of 1932, while Australia is unyielding in her demand to continue her swollen exports in 1934. “IN THE LION’S DEN” PLIGHT OF MR ELLIOT. NEW ZEALAND GATHERING. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, June 3. The New Zealand Society tendered a lunch to Mr Forbes and Mr Coates at the Savoy under the presidency of Sir James Parr, High Commissioner for New Zealand. Mr Walter Elliot, Minister of Agriculture, toasting New Zealand,’ compared his position at such a gathering with that of Daniel in the lion’s den except that Daniel’s task was relatively simple inasmuch as there was not enough meat to go round. Referring to the meat negotiations, Mr Elliot said: “Our feet are now set upon the road which will lead to a successful solution of the problem of the primary industries, which is to increase onsumption. We are faced with a specially stubborn and intractable problem in beef because consumption has fallen. A Government with so many problems on its hands cannot afford to devote as much time as has been devoted to detailed questions' of foodstuffs. Some machinery is necessary to deal with it. This great problem concerns me day and night, and it will require our attention for many years. I could not ask for better collaborators than Mr Forbes, Mr Coates and Sir James Parr.” Mr Forbes said he hoped that Mr Elliot would be gratified by New Zealand’s reduced exports of meat, beginning in 1935, compared with last year. Mr Coates drew Mr Runciman’s attention to the greater increase in British exports to the Dominions than to foreign countries, and asked was it too much to hope that preferential development of trade within the Empire would be considered.