MEAT AGREEMENT.

Wairarapa Age, 4 July 1936, Page 5

MEAT AGREEMENT.

APPROVAL IN AUSTRALIA. ASSURANCE OF EXPANDING MARKET ADVANTAGE OVER ARGENTINA. LONDON, July 2. The Australian Associated Agency is informed that the meat agreement is thoroughly satisfactory to Australia. It not only establishes a levy of fd a lb on Argentine beef as against nothing on Australian, but there is also a reduction in the present Argentine quota, while the Commonwealth’s remains unchanged. The agreement will be a long-term one, not subject to quarterly revision, thus ensuring to Australia a continuous expanding market. It must be submitted to Argentina for formal assent, which is not likely to be refused. Commonwealth circles are delighted with the result of the negotiations, and consider the agreement establishes a principle which will be most useful in future negotiations concerning other commodities. NEW ZEALAND’S POSITION, NO INFORMATION RECEIVED BY GOVERNMENT. WELLINGTON, July 3. No comment could be made to-night by the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. W. Nash) regarding the above report from London that Australia has obtained a long term meat agreement with Great Britain embodying a substantial advantage for the Commonwealth over the Argentine. "No advice at all on the matter has been received in New Zealand,” Mr. Nash said. ‘‘Negotiations are at present proceeding. in London on the question of freight contracts and members of the Meat Producers* Board are holding discussions with interested parties in England on several other matters. To date, however, no details of any progress or any decisions have been forwarded to the Government.”—(P.A.)