THE BEEF MARKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1922, Page 5

THE BEEF MARKET.

CAUSE OF PRESENT POSITION. SUGGESTION FOR RELIEF. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, March 24. In an interview with the Australian Press, Mr. Elder says: “The principal causes of the present deplorable position of the beef market are the war of prices between Argentine exporters and the flooding of the market with Argentine meat. Until quite recently the losses of Argentine shippers have been colossal, and if the present reported endeavors to arrive at an agrement are successful, shipment will be considerably decreased immediately and prices rise. “The removal of Vestys’ 125,000 quarters would relieve the market, but the effect would be only temporary. Tf ship-owners reduced freight by a farthing a pound and the Australian Government gave a farthing bonus it would undoubtedly greatly help the producers, but bonuses and subsidies are only expedients. Something much more drastic is required.” Mr. Elder suggests that the British Government should be urged to enforce immediately the recommendation of Mr. W. C. Bridgeman’s inter-departmental committee of meat supplies in 1919 to grant licenses to all meat importers, thus it would be possible to control arrivals here and prevent the continuance of the dumping of foreign meat, which is a serious menace to British producers, not only here but throughout, the Empire.