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Prices.—lf higher prices are paid to other countries supplying meat to the United Kingdom, notably Argentina and Australia, New Zealand will have the right to reopen the question of prices for 1947-48 season. Boning of Beef. —Further discussions to take place in 1948 with regard to the cessation of boning of beef. Telescoping of Mutton and Lamb.^—Ministry of Food are in full sympathy with the desire of the industry to ship untelescoped carcasses of mutton and lamb, but are unfortunately not in a position to dispense with the telescoping yet. They agree however, that the matter should be brought up for discussion again early next year, and that when it becomes possible to discontinue telescoping they will endeavour to give three months' notice so that arrangements can be made to obtain suitable bags for the meat. Canning.—(l) Beef: They agree to purchase the same quantity of canned corned beef in 1948 as in 1947—namely, 2,500 tons —and that the prices shall be the same as those to be paid to Australia. (2) Tongues : The Ministry's main desire is for short frozen tongues, and they therefore wish the canning of tongues to be reduced to a minimum. They do not particularly want the tongue roots, but will accept them if they cannot be otherwise disposed of without waste. Shipments to Markets outside the United Kingdom.—Although the Ministry could not object to New Zealand shipping 1 per cent, of her total annual export tonnage to other markets if she so desires, they feel that it would not be opportune to introduce such a concession at the present time when, at their request, New Zealand is making arrangements to ship to the United Kingdom all the meat she can. They agree, however, that the position should be considered before next season commences. Arrangements to apply after 30th September, 1950.—1t is agreed that clause 14 of the Heads of Agreement should be altered to provide that before 31st December, 1948, the two Governments will discuss the appropriate arrangements to apply after 30th September, 1950, having regard to conditions then prevailing. Notes. —(1) Meat Schedule Prices to be paid to Farmers by Freezing Companies and Meat Operators at opening of 1947-48 Season. —For convenience of reference, the following letter from the Hon. the Minister of Agriculture to the New Zealand Meatproducers' Board, written before publication of this report, is quoted. This letter announces the meat-schedule prices to be paid to farmers by freezing companies and meat operators at the opening of the 1947-48 season : 11th September, 1947. The Chairman, New Zealand Meat Producers Board, P.O. Box 121, Wellington. Dear Sir, Meat Export Sohedcle, 1947-48 This will serve to confirm the agreement reached between the Government and your Board that the opening schedule prices to be paid by freezing companies and operators for the 1947-48 season will be : Lambs (Woolly) Prime Down Cross and Prime Canterbury— d. 20/36 .. .. .. .. .. .. 10J 37/42 .. .. .. .. .. .. 10f 43/50 .. .. .. .. .. .. 10| 51/56 .. .. .. ... .. .. 9f Prime Crossbred — 20/36 .. .. .. .. .. .. 10£ 37/42 .. .. .. .. .. .. lOf 43/50 .. .. .. .. .. ..9|51/56 .. .. .. .. 9| Seconds—--20/36 .. .. .. .. .. .. 9J 37/42 .. .. .. .. .. .. 9f 43/50 .. .. .. .. .. .. 9£

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