MEAT PROBLEM

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1932, Page 5

MEAT PROBLEM

DISCUSSIONS AT OTTAWA

REQUESTS FROM DOMINIONS

THE EMPHASIS ON QUOTAS

difficulties of Britain

DANGER OF FOOD TAXATION By Telegraph—Presi Awn.—Copyright Rec. 3.5 p.m. Ottawa, Aug. 9. The question of a restriction on Britain’s foreign meat imports is the immediate paramount problem at the Imperial Conference. Although it is officially announced that the British negotiations between Australia and New Zealand are “nearly finished,” this vital matter has not been decided. Involving M it does proximity to the danger zone of food taxes, which might easily split the British Cabinet, the British at Ottawa are giving the Dominions’ firm request for a quota the most serious consideration.

It was the earlier view that Britain could hot contemplate a quota. That view has been considerably modified since the arrival at Ottawa of Aus? tralia and New Zealand solidly backing their expressed view that quantitative restriction on Argentine chilled beef is a matter of first importance to Dominion primary producers. Australia and New Zealand have temporarily lost Canada’s 'backing, seeing that the Canadian Cabinet is threshing out its own position and is faced witli the necessity of snaking greater concessions, which probably are the cause of some misgivings among manufacturing interests, but it is regarded, as certain that Mr. Bennett will heal any differences among hia colleagues quickly and present a compromise plan. Messre Bruce and Coates maintain a strong front that a quota is essential, holding that preference alone is ineffective. They are even prepared to drop preferences if an adequate quota is granted. Thera have been the frankest discussions of the position in the past 24 hours. The British are obviously Impressed and are deliberating whether it is passible to accede to this main Dominion request without giving an impression to the British housewife that she will be compelled to pay more for fyer. meat, without seeming to introduce a rationing of chilled beef, recalling the wartime restrictions, and without harming the enormous British interests in Argentina. The latest figures showing the preferences .given to Britain have an important bearing on to-day’s discussions. It is shown that Argentina has not offered Britain anything like the favourable terms that Australia and New Zealand have given. Meanwhile Argentina is doing * huge trade with the United States. '" .. '

It i* expected that a meat decision will be reached, at any moment. An. agreement regarding dairy products and fruit is imminent.. It does not present the same difficulty.