AUSTRALIA AGREES

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1935, Page 5

AUSTRALIA AGREES

QUOTA ON MEAT EXPORTS SHORT TERM RESTRICTION RAISING OF LARGER ISSUE TARIFF PREFERENCE PLAN

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 10 p.m. „ Melbourne, Jan. 4. Although it was not officially announced, the Federal Cabinet after a long meeting last night agreed to Britain’s request for voluntary restriction of meat exports for a short term, preferably for the first three months of the year. The Sun says that until the position has been clarified by a full statement of the conditions governing the acceptance by the Commonwealth of Britain’s demand for restriction local interests will be unable to judge the effect of the Commonwealth’s decision. The Prime Minister to-night made the following statement: “The Commonwealth Government has made proposals modifying the three months’ programme suggested by the British Government. We have at the same time indicated this to be a purely temporary arrangement, and that we are, in the mutual interests of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, opposed to any general or permanent policy of restriction. “The whole problem will be discussed between the two Governments during the forthcoming visit of Commonwealth Ministers to London. Meanwhile no details can be given as the matter is still the subject of cable messages, but it can be stated that every step has been taken to protect the interests of the producers and exporters of Australian meat."

It is believed that, while it is unable to accept the quotas for the various classes of meat suggested by Britain, the Federal Ministry has made counterproposals which require the serious attention of the British Government. It is understood the Cabinet will send a communication to the British Government agreeing to a restriction for three months provided the British Government is willing to raise the larger issue of the future of meat imports and Empire trade generally at another such conference as the Ottawa Conference. Then Australia will press for abolition of the quota system in favour of tariff preference for Empire goods over foreign goods.