MEAT IMPORTS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21417, 8 March 1935, Page 11

MEAT IMPORTS

BRITAIN'S OFFER TO DOMINIONS DRASTIC REDUCTION OR A LEVY . SAFEGUARDING POSITION OF L ENGLISH PRODUCERS t i '. (UNITED I'KESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTRIC | TBLEGIiAI'H —COPYRIGHT.) (Received March 7, 5.5 p.m.) ■ LONDON, March 6. A While Paper on meat imports [ says it is the Government's firm in- ; tention to safeguard the position of . the United Kingdom livestock in- . dustry. The only practicable means '< at present available is by a drastic ' reduction of imports from all sources. If, however, the Dominions concerned and Rhodesia and Argentina will consent to the necessary variations in their agreements it will be possible to deal with the situation by the imposition of a levy, with or without a measure of supply regulation. The question therefore arises whether with the consent of the Governments concerned a levy should be imposed forthwith as the alternative to a drastic reduction in imports. The White Paper states that the world depression has caused a disproportionate fall in agricultural prices. Meat, especially, is affected by the expansion of overseas production, in some cases stimulated by , subsidies. It is clearly impossible for the British Government to acquiesce in a situation threatening to ruin the British livestock industry. Great Britain's production of meat has remained practically unchanged for 25 years. Her population, in the meantime, has increased 10 per cent., while her agricultural population has declined 14 per cenl. Her meat imports from all sources have increased by 33 1-3 per cent. The development of inter-Imperial trade is admittedly of primary importance, but as the Empire is unable to absorb even the major part of Great Britain's exports it is essential that foreign countries take a substantial part of them. The British Government's opinion is that a levy on imported meat, with a preference for the Dominions, will afford the best long-term solution of the problem. The possibility cannot be excluded that additionally some regulation of the market'may be desirable in the interests of producers at particular times, but the Government cannot regard as a satisfactory and permanent arrangement a system under which responsibility for regulation of the market would rest with it alone. Its view is that the British Government's intervention should be limited to the collection of the levy and the application of the proceeds to the Home industry, leaving overseas producers themselves to regulate their exports-. ! Failing 1 Agreement ! Failing agreement on a levy the I Government will have no alternative but lo take steps to regulate during the period of the existing agreements the quantities of imports to the extent necessary to restore livestock prices to n remunerative level. In order lu give the Governments concerned a full her opportunity to consider the problem. Great Britain is continuing its subsidy to Home producers temporarily, but the Government has no intention either of doing so indefinitely or acquiescing in the ruin of the livestock industry. The Government desires at the earliest moment to operate a levy system, with a preference for the Dominions, leaving overseas producers to regulate their own exports. The questions therefore arise: j Whether the Governments concerned would consent to an immediate levy on imports as the alternaI tive to the drastic reduction of imI ports which would otherwise be I necessary. ; Whether import regulation should cease from the date of the imposition of the levy or after a transitional period during which moderate regulation would be maintained. Whether the levy should be imposed on all meat or only on beef, veal and live cattle. In the House of Commons Mr J. H. Thomas (Secretary of State for the Dominions), in answer to a question on the tabled meat White Paper, made a statement almost identical with Dr. Ear] Page's. Sir Percy Harris (Liberal) asked: "Have you consulted Mr Walter Runciman (President of the Board of Trade) on the subject, as he gave a pledge to the electors not to tax meat?" Mr Thomas replied: "The White Paper includes Mi- Runciman's views." EXPORT OF PORKER PIGS RESTRICTION R KNEW EI) (PRESS ASSOCIATION* TELEGRAM..) WELLINGTON, March 7. A Gazette issued to-night contains an Order-in-Council restricting the export of pcrkcr pigs to the United Kingdom in any vessel scheduled to arrive in the United Kingdom en or before .Tune 30."' In the meantime, permits to export will be granted only in respect of carcases slaughtered on or before March 7. SITUATION MORE LUCID NO CERTAIN ADHESION TO POLICY LONDON, March 6. The Australian Press Association says: "Concurrent with the publication of the statements by Dr. Earle Page and Mr J. H. Thomas, the White Paper makes the situation regarding meat imports more lucid