AMERICAN MEAT FIRMS ELBOWED OUT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2682, 31 January 1916, Page 5

AMERICAN MEAT FIRMS ELBOWED OUT

A SCHEME THAT WAS NIPPED IN TIME. Bj- Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Melbourne, January 29. Sir Thomas Mackenzie's statement regarding the meat contract has caused uneasiness. A demitation ot exporters urced Mr. Tuijor (Minister of Customs) to devise a scheme for the proto.ot.inu of the local consumer, leaving exporters untrammelled. The demitation pointed out that while. the meat supply is controlled by the Imnerial Government. South American competitors are being given the opportunity to further their interests on the Continent. [The High Commissioner was reported to have said that, in conjunction with Sir Thomas Robinson', lie had succeeded in stopping a contract between an important Continental Power and the American meat packers, which would have disastrously handicapped Australia and New Zealand for five years.] MORE ABOUT THE SCHEME A SUCCESSFUL PROTEST. (Rep. January 30, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 28. Sir Thos. Mackenzie, explaining his speech (cabled last Wednesday), said that Sir Thomas Robinson (Xgent-Gen-eral for Queensland) and himself had learned that a contract had been proposed between the French Government and the American meat firms for 120,000 tons of frozen meat annually, at war prices, operating until 1920, or for three months after peace, from the lliver Plate, carried exclusively oil French bottoms, and admitted duty free, an advantage of 2d. per pound. Within two hours of being informed the British Government had decided to act. The negotiations, during -Which Sir Thos. Robinson visited France, resulted in the project being dropped, although tho Bill wa's then before the French Senate.

"Our protest," says the High Commissioner, 'Vas based on the point that this was an unfair concession to neutrals, which was denied to the British Dominions, who were capablo supplying on equal terms. It would have seriously affected the Xustralasian meat trade. We have arrived at a satisfactory arrangement with France, who is obtaining meat from British and other sources on equal terms. The Agents-General, at a meeting, decided definitely to inquire as to the British Government's freight intentions. It is believed that Australian cargoes would comc normally. Britain has not cancelled the arrangements for ships."