FOOD IMPORTS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1933, Page 5

FOOD IMPORTS

THE: RESTRICTIONS

APPROVED BY COMMONS.

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, July 12

The Commons approved the review of the Government’s agricultural policy, presented by Major Elliot. The Minister took a grave view of the consequences of the continuance of 1 low prices for primary produce. While the Government’s proposals had eased the situation in some respects, they were still engaged in a desperate struggle. He examined the work of the wheat quota and the probable effects of brewers undertaking an increasing use of home-grown barley. Ho announced there was every reason to believe a satisfactory arrangement concerning the importation of Canadian oats would be reached. A marketing scheme for sugar beet to take effect when the subsidy ended next- year was under preparation, and international co-ordination in sugar marketing was being discussed at the London Conference. The Government was prepared to limit, but not to reduce gtigargrowinjf'ln'the United Kingdom.

? After referring to the arrangements for i marketing potatoes, fruit ana I hops]: Major Elliott said the beef producers were engaged in a desperate struggle against ruinously low prices. Although importation had been reduced, and fat cattle prices had advanced eighty per cent, since the autumn, the position was still far from satisfactory, and further limitations would have to be imposed.- The price of sheep on the other hand had increased 34 per cent, in the s a me period. Imported pig meat to the extent of 49,000 tons had been taken off without disturbance to the retail market. PRESS APPROVAL. LONDON, July 12. General approval has been, accorded by most sections of the press in Britain .to the speech made in the House of Commons by' Major Elliott (British Minister of Agriculture), This is a clear \ indication of the strength of -the movement that is behind the quota? proposals, in cases'where it can be shown as the Minister sought yesterday to do that the : application, of the quota principle is necessary to raise the quotas of British produce. It also is increasingly obvious that a very powerful political influence is at work to bring about the limitation of Britain’s imports as being the best way to help the Rome formers. "•'•"Major Elliott' is at present concentrating , 0 h dairy produce/ in regard ‘to u'hicii he has declared that stable conditions for British dairying can be reached only if' the overseas supplies are regulated. He has also stated that there must be a further limitation in British imports of beef. The Irish Free State, apparently, is apprehensive, as a bill recently was introduced into the Bail Eireaim at short notice, that is designed to meet a quota system in Britain. This Bill gives power to the Free 'State Minister of Agriculture to regulate the export of any agriculture produce falling under import quotas in any country, so as to secure for the Free State exporters the maximum benefits that are permitted by such a system of control.

The latest development of this control system applies to fish, a provision" al agreement having been come to between Britain and Germany for the regulation of,..the fish supplies by the German . fishermen to the British market, ,