COLONIAL MEAT FOR FRANCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12848, 26 January 1912, Page 4

COLONIAL MEAT FOR FRANCE.

The Australian High Commissioner in London has reported to the Minister for Customs on an application of tho French mini/mum tariff to Australian produce. Backed % New Zealand, the High Commissioner- for the Comrmon-we-alth has asked tho British Government to press upon-tlie French Govern^ment a request that Australian produce should be • given similar treatment to thai of Argentina, to which tho minimum tariff applies. In an interview with the Minisbro do I'Agriculture, tho High Commissioner urged that the.scarcity of meat in France •and'other Eirrqnean oonmtries could be greatly relieved by tho im<portntir>n of Australnan frozen meat, no-'.v rendered imijossiible as regards France by the sariita.r.v Tegulations insisting that imported mutton .-should'- ho cut into1 quarters with the internal organs adhering, and by tho

t . ■ . k ■ ■ . ;■ - .-• .. .-■■ .■. -. ... tariff:' The ampoitant points of - the Minister's reply werei:-i —(1) He had given Jinstructiona to allow the import of certain joints, in particular tKe;sirloin, ; round and rump; (2) import of muttonwould: be facilitated by authorisation of , private bonded, stores••; (3) the usual; veterinary inspectdon must take place;----(4) personally,- he would urge the ap- j plication of the minimum tariff io. all British, Dominions as to the Mother: Country; (5) as> a result of inquiry; in- -J stitutedby Framce in all cattle-raising countries he considered that Australiashowed an excellent example to Europe j as regards the handling and inspection of meat. A few days ago the Parliamentary Secretary to the Foreign Office, in rei)ly to a question in the House of Commons, stated that he was hopeful that France would apply the minimum, tariff to Australian and New Zealand frozen mutton.