AUSTRIAN MEAT FAMINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIII, Issue 14353, 19 November 1910, Page 6

AUSTRIAN MEAT FAMINE.

WHY NOT AUSTRALIAN SUP PLIES? The Premier lias received a communication from the Agent-General on tlio subject of the shortage of fresh nie:ii throughout the Austrian dominions., and the probability of Austrian ports being thrown open to the importation of frozen .produce (states the Sydney "Daily Telegraph"). According to the existing regulations, the importation of meat to Austria from oversea countries, in any form whatever, is not allowed without special permission, but, up to the present, such permission, in spite of repeated applications, has never yet been granted. The admission of meat depends principally upon the consent of the agrarian interests which form llie majority ill Parliament, and in spite of the present shortage this majority has been able to prevent the importation of cattle from other countries '.'or many years. The agitation against this policy, however, has become so great that in August last the Council, of Ministers in Vienna- decided to take speedy incisures to bring about the importation of meat from Roumania. and Servia, and to admit live bullocks -ind hogs from Italy, Holland, and Franca. They decided, further, to submit ihe question of the importation of Argentine meat to an immediate test. Should it be decided to admit Argentine meat, the Minister of Agriculture ■would probably issue excessively stringent regulations, and would very likely consider the dispatch of Austrian veterinary surgeons to oversea, countries, and a rigid inspection by the. sanitary authorities on arrival.. It is probable that in a very, short time.a commission will be sent to the Argentina to study the matter.

Whether Australian produce -would be allowed to follow that,of the Argen-V-'Ji 1 -Austria it is hard to sav, as diftereni. considerations aro involved, but should it hi decided to admit- Australian produce a special study of production ill Australia .would doubtless be made ana. permission for the importation of our frozen meat would depend on the report received. ' The .matter lias been brought bofare he notice of the Acting Prima Minister ■of the Commonwealth and he lias been asked to request the British foreign offide to' make such representations as will induce the. Austrian Go vomment, if-it. despatches a. commission to inquire into the conditions unnnr K - iS and exported m countries beyond .ttfe sens to gShST <°