MEAT EXPORTS TO BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 23734, 4 February 1939, Page 5

MEAT EXPORTS TO BRITAIN

Dominions Decline Restrictions

DEMAND BY HOME FARMERS

Industry “In Perilous

Situation”

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received February 3, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 2.

The Australian Associated Press says that the United Kingdom’s hopes that the meeting of the Empire Meat Council on January 31 would result in an agreement by Australia and New Zealand to restrict mutton and lamb exports were not realized. The Australian and New Zealand delegates to the Meat Council declined to discuss the position.

It is understood that Lord Bingley, the Home farmers’ representative on the Meat Council, informed them that United Kingdom farming was in a perilous situation. The farmers were

very nearly rioting. The National Farmers’ Union was obliged to demand from the Government the imposition of compulsory restrictions, unless the Dominions accepted voluntary restrictions. The Dominions replied that they refused to recognize the United Kingdom’s right to demand restrictions. No evidence was produced to prove that the curtailment of the Dominion’s products would lead to better prices for the Home farmers. They emphatically declined to accept a scheme providing- for percentage reductions, but expected the council to arrive at an agreement by which Dominion exports would be little affected during 1939. PRICES FOR BRITISH FARMERS STABILITY ADVOCATED (British Official Wireless) (Received February 3, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, February 2. The Minister of Agriculture (Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith) speaking in the House of Commons debate on a private member’s motion calling for ! measures to ensure prices which would cover the cost of efficient production and regulation of imports, agreed that unless there was greatdr stability of prices farmers could not maintain the fertility and productivity of their land. As to import regulations, the Government had already accepted the principle of commodity councils as proposed by the Sydney conference and favoured that method of control. He indicated that the legislation that might be necessary would be introduced as quickly as possible after the conclusion of the review of agriculture, which was now proceeding.