BAN ON IMPORTS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20282, 17 April 1934, Page 9

BAN ON IMPORTS.

Criticism of Bingley Report on Meat Situation. EFFECT ON DOMINIONS. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received April 17, 1.25 p.m.) LONDON, April 16. Further details of the report of the Reorganisation Commission, the chairman of which is Lord Bingley, include prpoosals to improve marketing intelligence, enabling the board to estimate at the beginning of each year the amount of home-grown meat available, on the basis of •\yhich the Government will allot its quotas. The Commission considers that as home supplies vary so little estimates will be possible without long-term forward contracts. It believes that the regulation of imports will eliminate seasonal fluctuations in tfie quantit}' and quality of the meat and ensure the farmer a reasonable price. The farmers’ request for a minimum price was rejected on the ground that it may upset the demand. The Government has been asked to consider the imposing of a monetary levy on all imported meat, which would be distributed among the home producers. The “Manchester Guardian” says: “ The vital point in the Bingley Report is the limitation of imports. If the Dominions do not agree, compulsion may be applied. Figures, however, do not prove that the fall of prices is due to excessive imports. Britain should be rather grateful that she is able to get her imported meat so cheaply at a time of unemployment. High restrictions of the supply will not increase the demand. On the contrary, it is likely to diminish it. The Commissioners propose to put a dangerous power in the farmers’ hands. Neither buyers nor butchers are likely to approve of the scheme, and any Government enforcing it must accept the grave responsibility.”