The Daily News FRIDAY AUGUST 18, 1933. DOMINION’S MEAT TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1933, Page 6

The Daily News

FRIDAY AUGUST 18, 1933. DOMINION’S MEAT TRADE.

OFFICES: NEW PLYMOUTH, Currie Street. STRATFORD, Broadway. HAWERA, High Street.

. The possibility of further re- ■ striction in the export of meat 1 from New Zealand to Great Bri- , tain is very disturbing. It comes at a time when the success of the transport of chilled beef from the Dominion to London appeared to hold out hope of a recovery in the beef-raising industry. It is stated that restriction may apply to boneless frozen meat, a commodity which has been a useful sideline to the dairy industry for many years and which has provided a cheap and wholesome meat supply for markets that cannot absorb the higher priced qualities. Nor is the restriction to apply to beef alone if the latest forecast Can be relied upon. Limitation of imports of pork, whether frozen or as bacon and hams, is to be brought about, and this at a time when development of swine husbandry seemed a way of augmenting an income so drastically reduced by the low prices ruling for butter* and cheese. The restrictions are part of the policy of advancing agriculture in the United Kingdom that has been reiterated on more than one occasion in the House of Commons by Britain’s Minister -of Agriculture, My. W. E. Elliot. That policy is to share in the bargaining possibilities conferred by Great Britain’s return to Protection, and the recent agreements made with foreign countries which compete with the farmers of the United Kingdom have been based upon two principles. The first is limitation of imports, with or without a tariff. The second is an undertaking to buy more from Great Britain, particularly such commodities as coal, iron and steel. The application of the second principle was intended to justify that of restriction of imports. Such action was almost certain to raise prices of certain food commodities, but the purchase of more goodsfrom Britain would, it was considered, stimulate employment and thus more than Compensate for any small rise in price of foodstuffs. That, however, is the domestic side of the question which concerns Great Britain. So far as New Zealand and the other Empire countries are concerned the agreements made by Britain with Argentina and Denmark appear to run athwart the principles of Empire preference in trading of which the Ottawa agreement was the definite expression. Since that agreement was reached conditions in .the London meat market have become worse. It is history that soon after the Ottawa conference Great Britain obtained a voluntary reduction in meat exports from Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Since then a new agreement has been made between Great Britain and Argentina. It provides for a reduction, if market conditions require it, of imports of chilled beef by 10 to 15 per cent, below the Ottawa calculations, and that there shall be no further restriction upon Argentine meat that is not shared by Empire countries. The rumoured restriction of frozen beef, whether in quarters or as “boneless,” seems to indicate that New Zealand must rank with Argentina so far as restrictions are concerned if she would meet the wishes of the Home authorities. While the Ottawa agreements exist the Dominion has the right of deciding whether restriction be accepted or not, but in two years’time the decision will rest with Great Britain. The same possibility of an unfortunate effect upon New Zealand’s export trade is seen in the agreement between Britain and Denmark. Under that treaty Denmark is assured-of 62 per cent, of the total permitted importations of bacon and hams, while for three years there will be no tariff imposed by Great Britain on Danish bacon. Here again increased purchases from Britain are an essential feature of the treaty. The frozen pork trade of the Dominion has been showing signs of development during the past year, but if restriction lies ahead that development will be halted if not entirely abandoned. The Dominion must face the new conditions in Great Britain. The conditions insisted upon in trade treaties with foreigners are a plain indication to Empire countries also. Britain will only buy where she can also sell, and her own agricultural industry is to have first consideration in the : Home markets. Subject to those ' conditions she would prefer to ; deal with Empire countries foi* ' supplies. If they are not accepted Empire preference does not seem likely to mean much that is : of tangible benefit to the Dominion. 1