OTTAWA BUSINESS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1932, Page 5

OTTAWA BUSINESS

FOUR SPEECHES / ■

MR COATES ASKS FOR QUOTA.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

■-■■■■* OTTAWA, July 28. Tliere could not be more significant evidence of a deep determination 1.0 mike-the Conference a success than the fact' that every delegate, consultant, find adviser in addition to tho army'.of unofficial industry reprekent’atives, Tvere buisy in coitibiitte'es oiVfyib morning- and afternoon Saturday. There was no thought of enjoying u long, week-end. Lord Bessborough (Governor of Canada) to-night * gave a dinner to the leaders, of the, delegations, including Messrs Bruce and Coates. Sunday is being devoted to special services, in the Churches of all de-1 nominations. The Government suggest- ' ed that the .Churches .throughout Canada should /reserve a day of prayer for the . wise guidance of the Confer-, j ehce. . '|

The delegates have‘heard four “business” speeches. The first was Mr T'-*'.,.u +, s •rr>oo’* + ''ut .declaration that Canada’* secondary industries must U.io>.-rTho < primary industries to progress*-; .* Secondly/there was Mr Contes’ Rtateipont, : in which ho unexpectedly spolce for , thirty minutes, instead of for ten, emphasising New. Zealand’s definite views on preference plus tho principle of the quota; A Thirdly there has been Mr Bruce’s review in which he asked, in 11b uncertain terms, for assistance . for . Fourthly* there came •• Mr.: Havenga’s surprise announcement,, .that , South i Africa .desires to be a real factor in the j' chilled, beef industry. Now that the principal Dominions have stated their cases, the British Delegation maintains its taciturnity. It is, awaiting, in the first place, an announcement of : what concessions tho Dominions will Volunteer. Secondly it awaits the demands that they will make. . t j The position will crystallise during 1 the mid-week. S. AFRICA AND MEAT QUESTION. : SUPPORT FOR AUSTRALIA. OTTAWA, July 23. South , Africa’s declaration announcing herself a strong alley of Australia regarding the trade in meat gives Australia unexpectedly powerful support. Mr Havenga’s statement was the most gratifying development of . the Conference so far as Australia is concerned. ; j. Neither , the Australian or the New- Zealand delegations bad any Inkling that South Africa would range herself, with them as a competitor with the Argentine. . . , ' Neither Mr Bruce nor Mr Coates desires to comment,, but it is 1 evident that' South' Africa’s reinforces Australia’s j and New, Zealand’s attitude, Britain^s position is delicate, in View' of the millions of British capital invested.'in 1 Thus far there has . been no indication given as to how Britain will act. ; Australian experts, discussing MrHavenga’s pronouncement, point out that if ' South Africa produced prime I beef, she could readily compete with j the Argentine chilled beef. They fur-1 ther express the opinion that if Aus- j tralia developed cattle of the right J quality, she would , soon enter the! beef trade. Scientists are diligently studying the - problem of how to overcome- Australia’s present .handicap that chilled beef will not carry more than, forty days. The experts say that neither Aus- ; tralia, South Africa nor New Zealand | has to-day the quality of beef that could compete with the Argentine beef, but Australia . would out-pace South Africa so far as quality is concerned*, and the research into chilling processes which are-proceeding by leaps and' bounds, will probably enable (shortly to become a-formid-able chilled'beef competitor. Mr BrUceb-has been appointed chairman of the official Meat Committee. , v - r.i , ' - -.of i SOUTH AFRICA’S HOPE. OF CHILLED BEEFi TRADE. OTTAWA. July 23. Following Mr Coates and Mr Bruce In their elaboration of New Zealand’s and Australia’s practical programmes. Mr Havengn, submitted to the Conference, South’ Africa’s objectives—the most important of which, and of special interest to Australia, was South Africa’s claim that she can build up a chilled beef business, and actively compete, with the Argentine, and is therefore deserving of preference. ' •*!?]: 1 APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES; e i OTTAWA;- July 23. To-day’s pleriaVv sessirli appointed Committees as follow : -Committte for formation of trade with the British Commonwealth; Customs; Commercial Relations,, Currency; Economic Co-op-eration. New Zealand is represented on each bv the Hon. J. G. Coates and the Hon. W. Downie Stewart. Other, Committees dealing with primary products were unpointed, Mr Davie .Tones being appointed- Chairman of the Meat Coipmittee.