TRADE WITH BRITAIN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 218, 14 August 1937, Page 10

TRADE WITH BRITAIN

DOMINION’S NEGOTIATIONS

LARGER MEAT EXPORTS. AUCKLAND, Aug. 14. Traversing, in his statement on returning to-day from abroad, his trade discussions with Great Britain, the Minister of Finance (Hon. AV. Nash) stated that the difficulties of a falling price level had been recognised, blit it was obvious that this was something that must bo overcome if the people of the British Commonwealth were _ to have made available to them the things that were necessary for normal health which could be produced from their own resources. "With this qualification, the Minister said that the Now Zealand Government was at all times willing to co-operate with the United Kingdom Government in a. way that would ensure that the farmer of the United Kingdom would receive like treatment to that which the New Zealand Government was determined should be available to its own farmers. One point in this connection that was of some importance was the necessity for the United Kingdom to ensure the production of the maximum quantity of foodstuffs from its own soil so as to ensure that, should difficulties arise that led to a conflict between the nations the possibility of a shortage of food 'supplies in the United Kingdom would be reduced to the minimum. An agreement was reached with regard to beef, mutton and lamb, pork and bacon, the question of dairy products being deferred until the agricultural policy of the United Kingdom has been decided _ “The present position, 6aid Mr Nash, “is that the New Zealand Government is investigating the commodities that can be imported from the United Kingdom without ill-affecting New Zealand’s manufacturing economy, and that the United Kingdom’s policy with regard to New Zealand’s imports will be determined when the United Kingdom’s agricultural policy has been finalised.” , , , . AVhilst the negotiations had not yet been completed, said Mr Nash, he felt that his visit had extended the understanding and goodwill between the Dominion and the United Kingdom, and this view was supported by the 'Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, who said that he thought the discussions had removed a good many of the difficulties which had existed before JMr Nash’s visit to the United Kingdom and would help to remove any other difficulties in due course. Ide added that the personal contacts could not have been happier. BEEF EXPORTS.

New Zealand is to send 56,200 tons of beef of all types to tlie United Kingdom in the year 1937. “This is one result of the negotiations,” Mr Nash added ‘ This amount will be our peak—the highest we have ever sent to the United Kingdom in any one year. On my arrival in England the prospect was the 1935 figure (45,800 tons). The amount of 56,200 tons represents a 25 per cent, increase on what was in prospect. It will mean that ioi the first time for some years, New Zealand will not have to restrict her beef exports to the United Kingdom- Furthermore, lor 1938 and 1939 there is every possibility tiiat New’ Zealand’s allocation will be increased. This, of course, depends to some extent on the economic circumstances in the United Kingdom. “When I first assumed the marketing portfolio, New Zealand was almost committed to a situation where there would have been a levy on all New Zealand beef entering the United Kingdom. For last year freedom from investigatory or advisory body. CONFERENCE OPPOSED. the time of the Government’s assuming office arrangements had been in train to set up an International Meat Conference to advise the Governments on the general meat supply position and to recommend the amounts of meat which should be allowed from the individual countries into the United Kingdom market. This arrangement cut right across the New Zealand Government’s trade policy and eliminated 27 per cent, of exports from any basis of bargaining, in particular, it gave mutton and lamb —our most important merit export—over to an international body to deal with. New Zealand prefers to nogotiate directly with the United Kingdom. Accordingly, the United Kingdom were advised that New /lealand could not agree to the idea of an International Meat Conference. Tinally, New Zealand agreed to a conference which would deal with beet only. In addition, there is to be an Empire Council, which is to be an this levy was secured, and I am happy to announce that we have secured freedom from a levy for the period of the beef agreement, winch Is for three years certain. “The beef conference does not represent merely the projected meat eonfrence with a limited scope; there arc new principles incorporated. One of the most important of these is that the aim shall bo “the maximum availability of supplies to consumers’ ; also, there is a definite allowance made for the expansion of Empire supplies to the United Kingdom market. In addition, New Zealand gets tlio right to swing over into chilled beef-—that is, New Zealand may replace ns much frozen beef as she likes with chilled beef. This should bo of great assistance to the beef industry. “In connection with tile beef conference, New Zealand’s position is safeguarded, ' nor are her rights to take beef into account in any general trade agreement jeopardised. I feel that the beef agreement is highly satisfactory to New Zealand.”