MEAT NEGOTIATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19564, 1 May 1935, Page 8

MEAT NEGOTIATIONS

BRITAIN AND DOMINIONS.

THE DISCUBBIONB SUSPENDED.

AUSTRALIA OPPOSED TO LEVY.

United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright, /

LONDON, April 29. After a lengthy meeting'the British and Australian Ministers suspended ihe meat discussions pending the arrival of Hon. G. W. Forties (New Zealand) and General Hertzog (South Africa) next week. The British Ministers adhere to the White Paper,, and the Commonwealth Ministers remain opposed to a levy.. The British Ministers say it is impossible to continue the home-grown subsidy after June, consequently drastic restrictions are inevitable. The Dominion representatives doubt whether Britain will carry out its threat, fearing Dominion reaction.

A DELICATE SITUATION. TORTUOUS NEGOTIATIONS. BRITISH MINISTERS FIRM. United Press Assn. — Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, April 29. The meat negotiations continue their tortuous course. To-day’s meetings at which Mr F. G. Menzie's, Sir H. S. Gullett and Mr S. M. Bruce represented Australia, readied a stage at which other Dominions can be called in and therefore it is expected that Mr G. W. Forbes (New Zealand); General Hertzog and Mr G. M. Huggins (Southern Rhodesia), will appear at the next meeting,, the date of which has not been fixed. 9 . The Australians are anticipating the solid support of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, whtoh share the Commonwealth’s anxiety to provide the best possible outlet for chilled beef, but New Zealand is in a different position, and her mutton and lamb trade renders common cause with Australia unlikely. South Africa will be able to throw considerable weight into the argument ’ owing to her favourable trado figures. Compared with 1932 South Africa’s imports from Britain in 1934 increased by'£l2,ooo,000. In the same period Australia’s increased by .£6,000,000, Canada's by £3,000,000 and ' New Zealand’s toy £1,000,000. The Australian Press Association . understands that the British Ministers are standing firm by the White Paper declaration of March; but unenviable as is the position of Australia, and the other dominions in the political ramifications of meat, Britain’s situai tion is more delicate. Having declined to extend the home beef subsidy after , June and failed to secure a DominionArgentine agreement, a levy remains the only alternative, restriction. This must, indeed be. drastic to protect the Home farmer, but it is unpopular in many quarters at Home as well as in / the Dominions. The Australian delegates have little faith in obtaining a modification of the Argentine agreement for the remainder of its life and prefer to concentrate on assuring a better place in the British market when Argentina’s present favourable agreement expires.