MEAT EXPORTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 March 1939, Page 5

MEAT EXPORTS

REGULATION OF MUTTON AND LAMB. MINISTER REPLIES TO RECENT ALLEGATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Replying to the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, in regard to the London meat selling, the Finance Minister, the Hon. W. Nash, says: “Mr Cobbe, in taking up the cudgels on behalf of the Hon. J. G. Coates, has a new allegation to make which is untrue and therefore should be laid at once. He alleges that the British Government’s policy, particularly their regulation of mutton and lamb imports, in the interests of the Home producers is somehow linked with New Zealand s imnort control measures.” There was not a shred of truth in that and Mr Cobbe, he thought, knew there was not, said Mr Nash. If there was any doubt lot Mr Cobbe bring proof but he could not. Mr Nash recalled that from 1929 to 1931, when Mr Cobbe was a responsible minister, New Zealand’s imports crashed by 40 per cent. The Labour Government’s policy had for one purpose the avoiding of disasters like that in 1931. Troubles and lack of policy of the Government with Mr Cobbe as Minister led to a coalition, in which he was joined by Mr Coates. New Zealand's recollection, he thought it fan to say, was that conditions were not thereby improved and now that Mr Coates in turn was joined by Mr Cobbe in meat politics, in attempts to discredit the government, the result was hardly more impressive.