Trade with Argentina There have been several attempts in some
quarters to discredit the Runciman-Roca agreements negotiated between England and the Argentine in 1938. Unfounded charges have been made against the Argentine Govern- ment, and it has been asserted that the agreements have worked disadvantageously to Great Britain. Such assertions are attempts to influence in advance the course of negotiations for a new agreement; and Sir Richard Redmayne has done a considerable service by his admirable letter to The Times in which he defines the objectives which a new agreement should try to secure. While admitting the necessity for Imperial preferences and for bounties to home producers, in accordance with the Government's long-term meat policy, Sir Richard rightly insists that artificial restriction of Anglo-Argentine commerce must raise the price of cheap meat to the British consumer. Equally, as others have pointed out, to attempt to divert trade into other channels will seriously affect both British shipping and British investors, and destroy the considerable advantages the British woollen industry obtained under the 1933 agreements. It is to be hoped that, when a new agreement is nego- tiated, the Government's object will be to encourage and not restrict the natural development of our trade with the Argentine. * * *
Previous page
