MEAT AGREEMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 182, 3 July 1937, Page 9

MEAT AGREEMENT.

RECORD ALLOCATION FOR N.Z, MUTTON AND LAMB EXPORTS, Per Press Association. . DARGAVILLE, July 2. Tim acting-Prime Minister (Hori. P. Fraser) announced at Dargaville this evening that a cablegram received by the Government front Hon. AY. Nash, stated that negotiations for an agreement had now been concluded with the United Kingdom Government by which the total allocation of imports of New Zealand mutton and lamb for the calendar year 1937, had been fixed at 4,010,000 cwts. This represents an increase of 110,000 cwts. over the basic allocation and also represents the highest allocation yet made to New Zealand.

The agreement, stated Air Fraser, first of all provided for a basic allocation of 3,900,000 cwts. This was substantially in advance of the actual imports from New Zealand for 1936 which were 3,530,700 cwts. Provision has also been made in the agreement for a reduction of 34 per cent, in the basic allocation if prices of United Kingdom mutton and lamb for the first six months of 1937 foil appreciably below the level of the two previous years. Such a reduction, if it had been made, would, of course, still have left the allocation at a figure in excess of last year’s imports. The cablegram received yesterday stated that not only would the reduction not now apply, hut also that, under another provision of the agreement, the basic allocation had been increased by 110,000 cwts. bringing the total allocation up to 4,010.000 cwts. Mr Nash also stated that an announcement concerning the agreement was being made simultaneously by the United Kingdom Government. “I am sure,” said Air Fraser, “that the producers of New Zealand will be gratified at the result that has been achieved. Moreover. it is an indication that the United Kingdom Government is sympathetic towards the desire of the New Zealand Government for the regulated expansion of imports of foodstuffy from the Dominion.”

The agreement dealt with imports of mutton and lamb from both New Zealand and Australia in resp.ect of which the basic allocations wore:— New Zealand 3,999,00 cwts. Australia 1,750,000 cwts. It, has now been decided that the provision for a reduction of 31 per cent, would not apply and that the provision for an increase in the basic allocation, if it proved possible to make such an increase without endangering the stability of the market, would now operate. Making the announcement simultaneously with the United Kingdom Government, ATr Nash expressed himself as being well satisfied with the arrangements which had been completed. He said: “It leaves the way open to a realisation of New Zealand’s objective which is ensuring a regulated expansion in the supply of _ required by the people of the United •'ingdom. This is the essence of New Zealand’s attitude to the problems of marketing and production. “It is gratifying that this objective lias been given practical expression in respect of this important commodity and our task is to see the same principle continuously So long ‘•s the needs remain- unsatislied, we have ability to produce increasing quantities at prices and under conditions that are reasonable to our own farmers.”

Readers arc advised of a social and flanpc whu-h will he held at the Trades Ilall oil Monday night at 8 o’clock. This has been organised in order to 11-01001110 Mr Frank Lee back to Palmerston North He has been in the U.S S.R. assisting with the installation of shearing--machinery, and a report of his impressions of renditions in Russia has already appeared in this paper. There will lie items and supper. arranged by an active committee ana ladies’ sub-committee.