MEAT IN BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20734, 18 February 1939, Page 9

MEAT IN BRITAIN

A SERIOUS REDUCTION NO EFFECT ON PRICES RESTRICTION ON TONNAGE (By Telegraph. —Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday The seriousness of the British Government's reduction by 3 per cent on last year s importation of Dominion frozen meat was suggested in figures quoted this evening by the president of the New Zealand Sheep-owners’ Federation. Mr D. H. Acland. He said that the position would be fully discussed at an early meeting of the Meat Board. The first comment made by Mr Acland was that the restriction appeared to be based on last year's tonnage. That was the lowest for New Zealand since the Ottawa agreement was made. Under the Ottawa agreement y New 'Zealand was allowed 195,000 tons, with 5000-ton increases. Last year the tonnage was 185,000, and the Dominion was, under the new regulations, to be cut 3 per cent on the 185,000 tons.

The second point made by Mr Acland was that the restriction was placed on tonnage, not on the number of carcases. Last year the average weight of New Zealand lambs was more than lib. below that in 1936. The average weight was under 331 b., and two years ago over 341 b. In 1938, 9,000,000 quarters were exported. "It cannot for a moment be seriously contended that the fall in prices in England was due to increased supplies from New Zealand," Mr Acland said. "The restriction on Australia and New Zealand jointly, running Into, say, 8000 tons of mutton and lambs, cannot possibly affect prices in England.”

NOT HEAVY CUT DEPENDENT ON SEASON MR W. W. MULHOLLAND’S VIEW im* Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday “The reduction may not be seriously effective,” commented Mr W. W. Mulholland, president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, In reference to the action of the British Government regarding meat imports. The effect probably would not be serious this year. The consequences to the Dominion of the restriction would depend on the ultimate production, he said. The indications had been that there would be some slight falling off in production. "I do not think that 3 per cent will be regarded as being a heavy reduction,” said Mr Mulholland. "Whether it is light or heavy depends on the season. If production gains 10 per cent, then all our stuff could not be sold.”

A reply was made by Mr Mulholland to a statement bv Mr E. W. Gough, a former New Zealand farmer who is now a member of the English National Farmers’ Union, that he anticipated the application of quotas against each of the Dominions and colonies on lines suggested at the Empire Producers’ Conference at Sydney, the leader of which, Sir Reginald Dor-man-Smith, was the new British Minitser of Agriculture. “Nothing was suggested by the conference in Sydney of any quota against the Dominions," said Mr Mulholland. "Either Mr Gough’s remark was misunderstood or his reference is to what tho British delegation suggested, but which was not agreed to by the conference. The British delegation agreed to the finding of the conference, which deliberately omitted all reference to restriction, quota or any form of import duty, and so on.”