§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any information as to bounty-fed products that enter the British market in competition with our farmers?
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Mr. GUINNESSSo far as I am aware, the only countries which give bounties on agricultural products exported to Great Britain in competition with the British farmer are Australia, New Zealand and Lithuania. In Australia assistance is given under the Export Guarantee Act, 1924–25, to the export of canned peaches and Chanez grapes. The subsidy takes the form of a guaranteed minimum price, the State making up any difference within certain limits between the price obtained and the guaranteed price. In New Zealand assistance is given to the export of apples and pears on somewhat similar lines to those obtaining in Australia for canned peaches and grapes. Tit addition, the export of carcases of pork from New Zealand has been assisted during the current year to the extent of a refund by the State of ½d. per 1b. on the overseas freight to Great Britain. As regards Lithuania, it is understood that the Government has agreed with the "1VIaistas" Company to bear up to 75 per cent. of any losses which the company may incur on the export of bacon and pork.