MEAT IMPORTS

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20691, 29 December 1938, Page 7

MEAT IMPORTS

MUTTON AND LAMB THE NECEBBITY OF RESTRICTION BRITAIN’S LICENSING SCHEME (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tei. Copyright) (Received Dec. 29, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 28 The Australian Associated Press says the Empire Beef Council will start next week the preliminaries of the licensing scheme for the regulation of mutton and lamb imports from the Dominions, on the lines of the Government's decision of December 20. It is expected that the scheme will open early in January. * It is learned that Australia and New Zealand have accepted the new policy, though New Zealand at first raised >rong objections. Britain finally pointed out that restrictions were becoming so essential that 6he was obliged to institute them with or without Hie Dominions' agreement. Replying to claims that foreign imports could be restricted before the limitation of Dominion products, Britain pointed out that although the nttawa Agreement fixed the foreign quota at 35 per cent the Dominions were supplying 80 per cent. Effort to Increase Consumption An important aspect of the Government’s new policy is the intention of the Beef Council not only to control imports but also to investigate the possibilities of increasing meat consumption at home and abroad. There is little doubt that control Is necessitated to a large degree by the suocess of New Zealand’s publicity, whioh has resulted in housewives asking for frozen mutton and lamb instead of fresh United Kingdom products.