EMPIRE PRODUCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1924, Page 8

EMPIRE PRODUCE.

DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE. COLD STORES IN LONDON By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Dec. 18. The Sun special correspondent learns that huge (scientific cold stores on the banks of the Thames equipped with the latest machinery and defrosting devices, erected and financed by the British Government, is the king pin of Mr. Baldwin’s secret scheme for spending a million to aid the food exports of the Dominions, who will .be given preferential treatment regarding accommodation therein.

Well-informed people estimate that the Government cold stores ■will be handling meat and fruit of the Dominions within a year.

The newspapers arc blaming Mr. Baldwin for his vagueness when announcing the million scheme in the House of /Commons. They say it is now clear that Mr. Baldwin is faced with the annunciation of a proposal savouring strongly of socialism.

The Government’s assistance to the Dominions will, not end with cohl stores, there will proba'bly be established a board consisting of representatives of producers and consumers to act in the closest touch with the Imperial Econo* mic Committee co-operating with exporters to secure uniformity of grading and standardisation of qualities, the coordination of transport facilities on. land and sea, the investigation of the possibilities of development of existing and new sources of food supply within the Empire, and the examination of possible methods of applying preferential treatment to Empire supplies, particularly with regard to marketing, finance and transport. The Imperial Economic Committee will act as a sort of vigilance association drawing the attention of the Government any instances in which even a humble pound is spent <Jn foreign food which might be produced in the Empire. It is learned that the Government will not embark on any retailing enterprise nor interfere with shipping, ■but will leave the gate open.

The Australian Government, by the utilisation of its own ships and cheaper rates, can thus give Australian producadditional preference.