OVERSEAS SUPPLIER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 58, 11 March 1935, Page 7

OVERSEAS SUPPLIER

IN MR ELLIOT’S KEN METICULOUSLY CONSIDERED LONDON, March 8. “We are acting for the benefit of all concerned, and the interests of the overseas supplier are being meticulously considered,” said tho Minister. The Government did not propose tfl alter the provisions of the Bill. Mr Elliot added that the necessity for full consideration and the avoid ance of hasty action was evidenced by the fact that even after long discussions with the representatives of the Dominions, a misunderstanding arose in one case. This did not lead to serious consequences, and had been cleared up but until Mr Lyons arrived it was ini possible to continue a detailed discus sion of a long-term policy. Dr. Addison (Labour), moving the rejection of the Bill, said that there was nothing in the Bill to show that the producer would get the money he was intended to get, nothing to increase the consumer’s pui’chasing power, and no benefits to pass ou to tho agricultural labourer. The Bill was read a second time by 120 votes to 23. “DEAD AS MUTTON” FEELING AS TO LEVY DRASTIC QUOTA INSTEAD LONDON, March 8. New Zealand’s rejection, closely fo! lowing Dr. Page’s reply, has caused i widespread feeling that the levy is a: “dead as mutton.” Ministers are reserving a considered opinion pending examination of the replies, but regarding the restriction Government quarters are adamant, repating more emphatically that they stand by the White Paper as plainly stating a policy that if the Dominions decline a levy the only alternative is a drastic restriction, which Britain will enforce on Julv 1. A TRAGIC HALFPENNY BRISBANE, March 9. The Queensland Minister of Agrijul ture, Mr Bulcock, said that a British levy of a halfpenny per lb. on Empire meats would create a tragic position for the cattlemen of Australia. EMPIRE CRISIS vestey’s Operations Received Aiarch 10 7.15 p.m. LONDON. March 10. The News Chronicle declares that the meat situation arising from Mr. Elliot’s plan threatens a first-class Empire crisis involving the complete collapse of the Ottawa agreements. It. attributes the trouble to Vestey’s secret development of chilled meat. Now with six new ten thousand-ton ships and many vessels equipped for gas storage from the Argentine, the trade plans to replace Australian and New Zealand frozen meat by infinitely superior chilled. Moreover Vesteys have acquired controlling interests in vital sections of the Australian and New Zealand meat trade exceeding £10.000,000. The News-Chronicle adds that Australia and New Zealand are most anxious to foster Vestey’s enterprise promising an increase in the value of exports by 50 per cent. Their pronouncements leave no doubt as to their attitude, while the Argentine also is standing firm. NOT ACCEPTABLE AUSTRALIAN ATTITUDB Received March 10, 6.5 p.m. CANBERRA, March 10. Doctor Earle Page, acting Prime Minister, informed press representatives that the Commonwealth will not accept the British meat import ptoposals as they stand, which he can only be introduced with the concurrence of all the Empire countries.