Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1911. GERMANY AND MEAT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10185, 10 March 1911, Page 4

Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1911. GERMANY AND MEAT.

The ..possibilities of establishing .a frozen meat export trade to Germany were strongly emphasised at the laist meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce by Mr Karl Joosten, who, -although German Vice-Consul, made it (clear that he was speaking .'not' in his official capacity,'but onlly as «. member of the chaimber. Mr Joosten said that in (the last paper which he had received from Leipzig d|t --was 'Stated that rump 'steak was 2s per lb, beef steak lis 6d, and the cheapest mutton Is. It was only a matter of time when the meat market in Germany would be thrown open for competition. New Zeallahd could take advantage of the exiperienjoe of Argentina, which had secured preference with. Austria, and the Dominion could do something in the same way with Germany. The Social Democrats and the Liberals itu Germany were fighting for it tooth and nail, and those interested in the trade in New Zealand should urge •the Government it'o do something in the matter. Canada had treated* quite independently vitli Germany ' already, and there was no 'reason why New Zealaihid should not do the isaime. It would strengthen, the hands of the commercial classes in GwmJany M overtures ' were made Sfcoah New Zealand. The preference (tianiff against Germany which brought.ini £IO,OOO or £15,000 Would be insignificant compared.with a successful New . Zealand contract for Supplies to the ..German army. Geramlany was a strong protective country, aind would make use of her-tar-iff in any negotiations that might

go on, but when she did open her markets 'she would ndt send out invitation cards, and whatever came first would get preference. There was a 'Strong movement to get foreign meat in, and two years ago .the German Government would have bought. New Zealand meat if it had been offered, but the German Government was handicapped by itihe composition of parities, and it might lose support if it made the proposal. If outside innuenices were brought to bear and New Zealand offered certain coiicesisions which became known to the people, their rough sympathies would force the _Gover-nimar.it even more strongly than it was heing forced now. The presidenlb, Mr F. E. Jonas, said that he gathered .that Mr Joosten wished' New Zealand to remove the preferential tariff wliich operated in, favour of England against Germany. Mr Joosten said that he had mentioned the point, but i(ti was not essential. It lay between the meat-producing countries as 'to wliich would offer the best, terms, and If Neiv Zealand cou'ld supply one or two million pounds' worth of meat-annually to Germany scone concea&ion ooukl very well be offered. The president said that if a letter were wrirtiten to the council of the chamber on the subject it would" receive careful consideration.