"A WATCHFUL EYE."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1136, 25 May 1911, Page 6

"A WATCHFUL EYE."

POSSIBILITY, OF AMERICAN CONTROL. (By Teleßraph.-Press Association.) Auckland, May 21. Serious concern was expressed at the Farmers' Union' Conference to-day ■ at statements made, recently, to tho effect that the American Meat Trust has commenced operations in New Zealand. Mr. Macgill (Waiuku) said he could not say definitely that the American Meat Trust had entered into the frozen meat trade in New Zealand, but he felt convinced it had, and tho danger was a very real one. He referred to the report that

tho Shaw-Savill Shipping Company was controlled by tho Morgan combine, and said that if tins question were looked into they would find that it was closely connected with the frozen meat trade in New Zealand. Shipping companies often assisted freezing companies when a financial crisis occurred,- and ho had reason to believe that the Shaw-Savill Company had obtained a large control in this way. Captain Colbeck said the American Meat Trust was a very big affair, and ho did not know what steps .New Zealand farmers could take to prevent it operating in New Zealand. The Government should be asked to keep a watchful eye. The president. (Major Lusk) said ho Was sure all the delegates agreed that it was desirable to put a check on trusts. The following remit from the Auckland branch was then passed, on the motion 'of Mr. M'GilhThat the union views with concern tho fact, as reported from London, of the control of the Shaw-Savill Shipping Company by the Morgan combine, and as tho shipping companies are so bound up with the frozen meat industry of the Dominion, urges tho Government to keep a watchful eye over the possible means of American control of this very important industry of tho Dominion. It was also decided to ask tho Dominion Coufcreuco to take the matter in hand, and bring it before the Government. ___„_____