THE MEAT-TRADE SCHEME.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1084, 24 March 1911, Page 8

THE MEAT-TRADE SCHEME.

POSITIONS OF FREEZING COM- . PANIES. ■ ■ i [To tho Editor.] Sir,—Re.Mr. Foster's letter: The lato conference of representatives from committees set up in various districts to consider the handling of frozen meat in London, was looked upon by 'thoso present as one of producers only, who were met to consider tho question of whether they should send a man home in their interest. The various meotings held in different parts of the Dominion were told that the , London authorities ■ wero willing to improve tho dock accommodation if the producers of'the colony would 6liow in-some way their bona iidss-in tne matter. It was felt that no guarantee could be given: for most of the produce goes through purchasers' hands, whose business could not be interfered with. At the same time, improved dock accommodation nearer the np-town stores wouUl undoubtedly-, be an advantage to all connected with the trade. Yet it. was • felt that the producers could not fairly ask tho freezing companies to assist with funds in sending n representative .home, as. many, already had their own representative, a|id it was known to all present ■ that the other companies wero contemplating having a joint representative, and that they wero all making repretentations through agents, for improvements in the handling in. London. The essentials for improvement we were aiming at were: (1) Improvement by the Pc-Vt of London authorities .of accommodation and stores in tho South-west India. Dock. for. frozen meat; connected with tho railway system and Sm'ithfield. - ' (2) Increased storage at or near Smithfield by the London Corporation. .If the producers think it is in their interests to subscribe a sufficient sum to send a representative home ill order .o assure the authorities' of our desire, to have this improvement made, then a man will go home. If tho. money is not forthcoming, things will be leit as they are. But I am firmly of opinion, that unless we do take this, step, either we will not get this'improved accommodation, or else, if -it is provided, othets, such as tho Argentine companies will step in and secure a' pre-emptive right to the of it, and wo should again bo shut out and forced to use an indifferent position. - - ■ . ■ _ I can assure the freezing companies that .we all recognised, their conduct of tiie business had been excellent in tho past, and that members present did not presume to a know ledge such as they have of the trade. But we were Solely desirous of securing the essentials spoken ot above and in no way wished to belittle their efforts at reform, or in any way to seek to alter the channels of trade at present in use—if the companies desired to continue to use them. It must, however, be patent to every ono that at a moment when one million of money is to be spent on tho West India Dock, that to have an accredited representative ill London must be beneficial to the producers interest, and would most likely Jesuit in securing advantages which might cas >ly lie lost if no one were there to press our claims. He -would no doubt act in conjunction, with the representatives 6f the companies in London as_well as the High Commissioner and Sir Joseph ward (we hope) in securing the best accommodation possible.—l am, etc., JAMES G. WILSON. -