REDUCED TARIFF

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1934, Page 5

REDUCED TARIFF

IMPORTS FROM BRITAIN

INTENTIONS IN AUSTRALIA

MEAT MARKET IN EXCHANGE

NEGOTIATIONS DISCLOSED

STRONGLY WORDED CABLE

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 9.50 p.m. Canberra, r July 19. Addressing the conference of State Ministers of Agriculture and the Federal Meat Advisory Committee to-day, Mr. F. H. Stewart, Minister of Trade and Commerce, gave the text of a strongly worded recent cablegram to the British Government pointing out that if the meat restriction proposals were persisted with Australia would be unable to make any tariff concession on British goods in the forthcoming Budget. The cable asserted that the effect of the meat restrictions would be so serious to the economic life of Australia, jeopardising the stability of the primary industries, that the Government would be unable to continue the process of reducing the tariff on British goods. It was also emphasised that to restrict meat imports from Australia before the main Ottawa Agreement expired in August, 1937, would be a violation of the spirit of the agreement, although technically Britain had the right to impose restrictions after June 30 this year. Mr. Stewart added that following the Commonwealth representations the British Government had withdrawn for two years all restriction proposals, and only minor questions now remained for settlement.

Mr. Stewart’s statement was loudly applauded and the Government’s attitude was warmly approved. Mr. J. A. Lyons, Prime Minister, accordingly will announce a series of important reductions on the duty on British goods.

The Government is taking advantage of the presence of those attending the conference to create'an executive committee which will maintain continuous touch with the Department of Commerce and be' in a position to advise when prompt decisions on matters affecting the meat industry are required.