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Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1925, Page 2

Whii.k there lias lieen much talk v reference to the British Government’s preferential proposals to the Dominions nothing is yet known as to the date their probable authorisation, or operation. The plan seems to be to give Dominion meat, fruit and other products an advantage over imports from other countries. This will involve some expense to the British Government, bin

it is assumed that the cost will be recouped in tlie opening or extension of markets for British exports. The principal beneficiary, it is agreed, will be Australia, which is in a position to supply Great Brtain with a much larger quantity of meat than is now being shipped. Canada anticipates an expansion of her fruit trade, and of other commodities that may bo included. Discussion of the project discloses the fact that unanimity of opinion is lacking. For one thing the Argentine, now the largest supplier of British meats, will not give up her market without vigorous competition, and then there is the corollary question of British exploits ti South America to consider. Representatives of South American meat interests in England doubt whether the mere granting of preference to Australia will change the tide of shipment for years to come, although Australia feels confident of her ability to supply the. market. One Australian exporter is quoted as saving: “We have no official intimation that our products will be given preference, but if they are wo "ill supply more meat to Englishmen jn five years than all other interestcombined.” When all is said and done, freight rates, etc., "ill have a bearing on the case. Nor will the matter of reciprocal trade be overlooked. So far nothing lias been said by American packers. The United States is one of the largest meat exporters in the world, lint her shipments of beef have been declining, owing to growing domestic consumption, but her supremacy in the p.mk markets is not likely to be disturbed. X<> denial is made that America is reaching a point where food exports will constitute a much larger percentage of hoi* outward trade. 1 iesident Coolidge made relcreuce to this in an address not long since to a representative body ol farming interests, but trade statistics tell the same story. Shipments of South American beef to the United States are by no means uncommon. and following the war thoio was an intermittent trade between Australia and this country in mutton. American intore-ts have been largely engaged in South American packing plants. Tl Imperial preference dislurbs the meat trade ol Smith America it "ill increase that trade with the United States. Who knows, asks an American paper, but that the ofiect will be to lower meat prices to the consumer in America.?