MEAT PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1932, Page 5

MEAT PROBLEM

YET UNSETTLED

BUT DELEGATES ARE HOPEFUL.

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

OTTAWA, August 17

The meat problem remains stdl unsett.ed after another day’s hard bar-

gaining. Messrs Bruce and 'Coates will see the British delegates again to-morrow, when a final decision must be reached. Now that the Conference has settled practically every one of the multifarious problems which confronted it, attention is necessarily focussed on the two outstanding subjects, those of meat and Russian dumping. Australia and New Zealand <u’e standing together. Their delegates are looking forward to a reasonably satisfactory outcome to-morrow.

In a certain degree progress was made to-day, with the Anglo-Canadian efforts to arrive at a formula for the solving of the .Russian problem. Mr Bruce said the Committee s report on commercial relations with foreign countries -is not of any direct interest to Australia, but probably would involve the abrogation of many of the existing trade treaties between other countries.

- OTTAWA, August 17. Discussions between the Britishers, Mr Bruce and -Mr Coates continued at the two sessions to-day, and reached the severest stage. Bargaining similarly, the Anglo-Canadians are in' holts on/ tile Russian dumping. Mr Bruce, seen at five J?.m, said: “We ’cannot see the light yet, but are conferring with the British Ministers again before dinner. The difficulty is quite understandable. Both sides are seeking the best possible terms. Naturally/it is a stiff fight, but conducted on the friendliest basis. I am hopeful! of early, arrangements which will be satisfactory to Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

..Questioned regarding the _ report .from British circles that Britain had already offered the quota against" Argentine* frozen beef, mutton, and 'lamb 'and (asked, “Would you accept such a' quota, leaving chilled beef free?” Mr Bruce replied; “That depends on terms,” lit is understood that Australia reqf Lists tv ,quota, based on Argentine’s 1931 figures ivhen the chilled beef sent to Britain amounted to 5,821,000 quarters, compared with 5,989,000 in 1930 and 6,016,000 in 1929. The advisers ipoiuited out that if the small quota introduced were based on an abnormal year, the Argentine wouid be able to supply practically a normal year’s export. The 1932 figures to the end of July show thaV Argentine sent to Britain 3,025,000 quarters of -chilled and frozen beef. Separate quantities of chilled and frozen are not available until the year is completed, but the first seven month' show a -lower export compared with the corresponding group of chilledfrozen figures in the previous . years 5,920,000 quarters; 6,186,000 in 1930 and 6,085,000 in 1929.