THE MEAT QUOTAS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 88, 8 January 1935, Page 8

THE MEAT QUOTAS

Australian comment on the meat export quota reveals a suggestion of a spirit of haggling between the Commonwealth and British Governments. It would be regrettable if such were actually the case. It'has been pointed out that the quotas at present, proposed by the British Government can in no sense be regarded as an infringement of the Ottawa agreement. By Britain’s undertaking at Ottawa to give the Dominions an increasing share of imports into the United Kingdom the Commonwealth has benefited substantially. From Tanuary to June, 1933, 6 per cent, of the total meat imports to the United Kingdom came from Australia, but for the corresponding period of 1934 the percentage rose to 8.7 per cent. Again, the imports of Australian mejit in the first 10 months of 1934 were 16 per cent, of the total, whereas in 1932, before the Ottawa agreements began to operate, the total for the same period was only 10 per cent. Both in Australia and in this country the meat quota question ha* been complicated by the advent of a new export trade in chi led beef which promises to develop to substantial proportions, and thus accentuates the urgency of the problem.: There is need for a new angle on Imperial trade relationships, and it is to be hoped that, the discussions to take place in London this year between the British Government and the overseas Ministers attending the Royal Jubilee will lead to a satisfactory settlement.