BRITAIN’S SUPPLIES OF MEAT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20066, 25 March 1935, Page 7

BRITAIN’S SUPPLIES OF MEAT

REPLY TO AUSTRALIA’S PROTESTS AWAITING DOMINIONS’ COMMENTS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 24, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON. March 23. “The Sun” learns that the British Government has intimated its desire that a full survey of the forthcoming meat discussions should be regularly available to the other Dominions, because although the negotiations are primarily between Britain and Australia, the agreement must be in the spirit of Ottawa. This also accords with the practice with Anglo-Indian discussions, and the simultaneous mutual consultations in connection with all inter Imperial questions, under the 1926-1930 Imperial conference declarations. Furthermore, in view of the other Dominions being vitally concerned in the meat discussions, it is impossible to conclude an agreement with Australia without, the Dominions co-operation. Sir James Parr (High Commissioner for New Zealand), thus far has not formally conferred with the Australians, but is keeping in close contact with them, and also with Mr Elliott (Minister of Agriculture), and advising Mr Forbes of the general trend of the discussions. Apparently the other Dominions are anxious that the formidable Australian delegation will not leave them out of the picture. Mr Lyons is specially interested in the annual report of Smithfleld in which the superintendent presents the following calculation:—

The report shows that 16.593 tons more of Home and Dominion meat was received in 1934 than in 1933. Mr Millman says: “The general effect of the quotas has been steadying. Mr Lyons is specially interested in the foreign beef imports which arc nearly five times above those from the Dominions, and regards the figures valuable for the forthcoming discussions.

British and Irish Dominions Foreign Ozs. Ozs. Ozs. Beef .... 3.2 3.3 14.5 Mutton and lamb 2.7 7.7 1.5 Pork .... 2.6 0.8 0.7