THE MEAT NEGOTIATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1935, Page 6

THE MEAT NEGOTIATIONS.

Although the increase'in admissions of imported chilled beef agreed to by Great Britain for the current quarter of the year will affect Australia more than New Zealand, the decision may be accepted as confirmation of a point frequently stressed by Lord Bledisloe. He urged producers in >the Dominion to remember always that, Britain was not only her best customer but her very good friend, and it is an attitude that has not always been maintained when discussions of negotiations with the United Kingdom have been held by farmers’ organisations. The decision in regard to imports of meat during the period ending June 30 is an intimation also that Britain expects to have a long-term agreement with the Dominions completed by that date. By the time New Zealand’s second Ministerial representative, Mr. Coates, reaches England there will be but a few weeks in which to complete such an agreement. In view of this there is justification in taking with him an adequate staff, although .the acquaintance the Public Service Commissioner has had with the handling of primary produce must surely be very limited. There would have seemed more .justification for the inclusion of a member of the Agriculture Executive Commission, particularly Mr. G. A. Duncan, who could have kept the delegates in touch with 'dairy factory viewpoints in New Zealand and accumulated at the same time experience in Britain that would 'be invaluable to him and -the Commission. It seems quite evident that Great Britain is determined to make the new agreement with the Dominions simple and definite. There is therefore more need! for practical advisers to the New Zealand representatives than for their proposals to be shaped by the most brilliant theorists who have had no training in commercial affairs and whose knowledge of men and public policy has been gained from a sheltered position. The Australian delegation was fortified by the inclusion therein of the managing director of one of the largest meat export firms in the Commonwealth. The interim concession Australia has obtained for the current quarter indicates that her arguments have not been unwisely marshalled.