BRITAIN’S MEAT SUPPLIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20096, 1 May 1935, Page 7

BRITAIN’S MEAT SUPPLIES

PLANS TO RESTRICT IMPORTS HALT IN NEGOTIATIONS IN LONDON United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, April 29. After a lengthy meeting, the British and Australian Government Ministers have suspended their discussions on meat problems, pending the arrival of Mr G. W. Forbes (New Zealand) and General Hertzog (South Africa) next week. The British Ministers adhere to the White Paper, but the Commonwealth Ministers remain opposed to the imposition of a levy on imported meat. British Ministers say it will be impossible to continue granting a subsidy on Home-grown meat after June. Consequently, drastic restrictions are inevitable. The Dominion representatives doubt whether Britain will carry out her threat, fearing reaction by the Dominions. The negotiations continue their tortuous course. At to-day's meeting Mr R. G. Menzies, Sir Henry Gullett and Mr S. M. Bruce represented Australia, and a stage was reached at which the other Dominions can be called in. Therefore, it is expected that Mr Forbes and General Hertzog, and Mr G. M. Huggins (Southern Rhodesia) will appear at the next meeting, the date of which has not been fixed. New Zealand’s Position ' The Australian delegation is anticipating solid support from South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, which share the Commonwealth Government’s anxiety to provide the best possible outlet for chilled beef, but New Zealand is in a different position. New Zealand’s mutton and lamb trade renders a common cause with Australia unlikely. South Africa will be able to throw considerable weight into the argument owing to her favourable trade figures compared with 1932. South Africa’s imports from Britain in 1934 increased by £12,000,000. In the same period Australia’s increased by £6,000,000, Canada’s by £3,000,000, and New Zealand’s by £1,000,000. Attitude of Britain The Australian Press Association understands that the British Ministers are standing firm by the White Paper declaration of March 6, but unenviable as is the position of Australia and the other Dominions in the political ramifications of the meat problem, Britain’s situation is even more delicate. The Government having declined to extend the subsidy on Home-grown beef after June, and having failed to secure a Dominion-Argentine agreement, a levy on meat imports remains the only alternative restriction. This must, indeed, be drastic to protect Home farmers, but it is unpopular in many quarters at Home as well as in the Dominions. The Australian delegation has little faith in the hope of obtaining a modification of the Argentine agreement for the remainder of its life, and prefers to concentrate on assuring a better place in the British market when ArI gentina’s present favourable agreement expires.