CUT IN IMPORTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 9

CUT IN IMPORTS

NEW ZEALAND MEAT DECISION IN BRITAIN • PROTECTING THE HOME PRODUCER [By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright] LONDON, Feb. 16. In the House of Commons the President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Oliver Stanley, announced that “in order to safeguard the stability of

the markets” imports of frozen mutton and lamb from Australia and New Zealand would be 3 per cent, below last year’s imports and that from foreign countries they would be 10 per cent, less than the present quotas. Mr. Stanley added that-the decision resulted from the failure of the Empire Meat Council to agree to the current year's restriction of imports necessitated by the very low prices last year from Home-produced meat. Increased Home production had not been accompanied by a fall in imports. A further increase in Homeproduced mutton and lamb was expected during the current year and yet cold-storage stocks were abnormally high. Mr. Stanley said the Government had advised Australia and New Zealand as to the extent of the restriction which might necessitate alterations in shipping space already booked. The Meat Council was continuing to function and would watch the effect of the restriction on the market.

POLICY DEFENDED

QUESTION IN COMMONS Received Fob. 17, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 16. In the House of Commons Mr. Tom Williams (Labour) asked if Hon. O. Stanley was satisfied that the restriction of meat imports would bring an increase in British mutton and lamb. He pointed out that the restriction of beef from Australia and the Argentine had not helped prices for home produced beef. Mr. Stanley replied that, the Government believed the restriction on mutton and lamb would benefit the home producer. The restriction was necessary to prevent an abvious glut. There had been a decline in the prices of home produced beef, but this would have been more serious if no attempt had been made tn regulate imports. Questioned reg: rding the necessity for large reserves of frozen meat in war time, Mr. Stanley said: The Government thinks the best reserve is a flourishing sheep and stork industry in Britain.

NEW ZEALAND POLICY

I" Po* Press Asi odptJon. I WELLINGTON, Feb. 17. "We have been definitely of the opinion that if the people of Great

Britain could do with a let more of our meat we could do with a lot more of their manufactured goods,” said the Primo Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), when the cable intimating a 3 per cent, cut in the Dominion’s meat exports to Britain was referred to him. "That has been our policy right from the beginning." Mr. Savage

added. “We cannot shape the policy of Great Britain.”

MINISTER’S COMMENT

( Per Press Association.! AUCKLAND, Feb. 17. “I can only say I regret, there is to be a reduction in the nuantities of New Zealand mutton and lamb to be admitted into Britain,” said Hon. W. , Nash, when he was Informed of the British Government’s decision to make a cut of 3 per cent, in Dominion imports. Mr. Nash added that he was unable to make a further comment until he examined all th® fact.'’ contained in the cables in Wellington. The negotiations between New Zealand and the British Government had been proceeding since the latter part of last year, stated the Minister, and he had been kent fully informed at each stage. Asked whether a surplus of production was likely to be experienced in the Dominion. Mr. Nash replied that it was too early at this stage to forecast the effects of the restriction, bu if the British market was unable to absorb the whole of the mutton and lamb available for shipment from Nev.’ Zealand th® Government would be able to deal with the position In some other way.

“I think we can adapt ourselves to the now circumstances created by the quota,” Mr. Nash concluded.