IMPORT RESTRICTION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20282, 17 April 1934, Page 1

IMPORT RESTRICTION.

New Proposals May Cause F riction. LONDON, April 15. The “Financial News” says: “ Thg scheme for the reorganisation of the fat stock industry may have a serious effect on Britain’s political relations with the dominions. The chief proposal is the restriction of imports, while abandoning any attempt to restrict home production. The commission proposes to regulate imports in accordance with information gathered regarding home supplies. The result will be that the price of frozen and chilled meat will rise and that consumption will fall, but there is no certainty that consumption will be diverted to fresh meat. It is admitted that British costs of production are far in excess of foreign and dominion costs. Some diminution of the autumn glut may eventually be achieved, but in the meantime we shall have offended the dominions and Argentina, thereby causing adverse reactions to the export trade, and we cannot be certain that it -will materially improve the position of British farmers.” The “ Daily Telegraph ” says the suggestion is that negotiations may not be very welcome, but the dominions understand the position and can be expected to agree to some measure of restriction. SHIPPING FREIGHT. SYDNEY, April 16. Shipowners have offered a concession for the remainder of the year for the carriage of chilled beef, which is still regarded as in its experimental stage. It is understood that they are prepared to carry chilled beef on the basis of ljd per lb, to be charged on the actual weight of the meat shipped instead of on the basis of cubic feet of space occupied.