MEAT CONTRACTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 119, 22 April 1925, Page 6

MEAT CONTRACTS.

CLAIMS OF THE DOMINIONS. A USTRA LI AN POSSIBILITIES. Received April 22, 1.15 p.m. LONDON, April 21. Mr Cramsie, giving evidence before the Imperial Economic Committee, strongly appealed that consideration should be given to Dominion meat against foreign. He pointed out that the industry in Australia was carried on by white labour, working a 48-hour week for a basic wage. On the other hand, cheap labour and longer hours enabled foreign countries to reduce the treatment costs 50 per cent, below the Australian. Referring to statements that Australia would not always bo in a position to tender for canned goods, he explained that if it could be understood that tenders would be restricted to the Dominions, or reasonable assistance would be given, the industry would increase to such an extent as to enable Australia to cater for all contracts, which was impossible at present without a measure of protection against foreign countries who were prepared to tender at impossible prices in order to secure the contracts and prevent future opposition. If assured of a reasonable market lor the exportable surpluses, there was no reason why Australia should not increase her export fourfold by a proper scheme of fodder conservation and an improved scheme of fattening. The drought time losses could bo largely eliminated by artificial fattening, which was carried out in the United States and the Argentine. Ho could see no reason why with an assured market Australia should bo unable f o fatten equally well economically.— A. and N.Z. cable.