MEAT IMPORTS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20281, 16 April 1934, Page 1

MEAT IMPORTS.

BRITISH REGULATION ADVOCATED. Recommendation of Experts. IMMEDIATE NEGOTIATIONS WITH DOMINIONS URGED. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received April 16, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, April 15. The Reorganisation Commission for at stock appointed by Mr Elliot, Minster of Agriculture, under the chairnanship of Lord Bingley, has recemnended the regulation of imports of neat, whether fresh, frozen or chilled, rom foreign and Empire sources. It las suggested that negotiations with he Dominions shall be opened immeditely, and that autumn imports should >e regulated with special care, giving :he home producer a freer market. The Commissioners consider that he Livestock Marketing Board, in cc-n----ultation with the trade, should approve of persons through whom the Producers should sell, thus encouraging he most efficient channels of marketing. The Commission also favours the entraiisation of slaughtering.

DOMINIONS’ PROBLEM.

British Trend Towards More Import Cuts.

LONDON, April 8. Launched at a time when there is i fear that unless the trend of events n Britain is altered, agricultural im >orts from the Dominions will be inrreasingly restricted, Mr Bruce's cam aaign to increase intra-imperial trade s causing notable reactions. In discussions with representative business men, politicians and financiers i reporter found considerable support or Mr Bruce’s pronouncements, whi?h were welcomed as focusing attention Dn an urgent problem. The protagonists of planned intra mperial trade are delighted at his bold ead, the value of which has been enlanced by Mr Bruce’s high prestige. Now that General Smuts has receded into the background, Mr Bruce is re yarded as the outstanding leader of the Empire cause. There would be dis appointment if he were persuaded to resume his Australian political caree‘r There is a feeling that his services are needed in London, where it is suggested that he should be appointed to a non-partisan post that would enable him to become the driving force for Imperial trade. A number of members of the House of Commons, especially younger Conservatives, have been recently studying the question, on which Mr Bruce’s speeches have crystallised their opin ions. They feel that the Government with whose indecisive attitude they are dissatisfied, has never faced the logical outcome of its system of agricultural protection, to which it has been compelled to commit itself. Instead of the Minister of Agriculture (Br Elliot) directing the system, the system is now directing him, claim.

PROPOSALS OPPOSED

Country Party Fears for Industry.

(Received April 16, noon.) SYDNEY, April 16. The Canberra correspondent of the “ Sydney Morning Herald ” says that the United Country Party fears that if suggestions by Mr Bruce for the limitation of exports of Australian primary produce are adopted they will have serious repercussions on Australian agricultural industries. Members of the party in the Federal Parliament will strongly oppose the proposals that are now being discussed.