BRITISH IMPORTS OF MEAT

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 8

BRITISH IMPORTS OF MEAT

NEW REGULATIONS NOT RETALIATION (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 31. Replying to the Hon. J. G. Cobbe on the meat controversy, the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. W. Nash) says that Mr Cobbe, in taking up the cudgels on behalf of the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, has a new allegation to make, but it is utterly incorrect, and should be laid at once. “He alleges,” said the Minister, “that the British Government policy, particularly its regulation of mutton and lamb imports in the interests of the Home producers, is somehow linked with New Zealand’s import control measures. There is not a shred of truth in that. If there is any doubt, let Mr Cobbe bring proof; he could not” Mr Nash states he recalls that from 1929 to 1931, when Mr Cobbe was a responsible Minister, New Zealand’s imports crashed by 40 per cent. The Labour Government’s policy had, for one purpose, the avoiding of disasters like that in 1931. The troubles and lack Of policy of the Government, with Mr Cobbe as a Minister, led to . a coalition in which he was joined by Mr Coates. New Zealand’s recollection, he thought it fair to say, was that conditions were not thereby improved, and now that Mr Coates in turn was joined by Mr Cobbe in meat politics, and attempts to discredit the Government, the result was hardly more impressive.