OUR MEAT IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2586, 7 October 1915, Page 8

OUR MEAT IN LONDON

• NO SPECULATION. Tho Prime Minister stated in the House of Representatives yesterday that no part of the meat which was being sent) to London was getting into the hands of speculators. Air. Massey said that he had cabled to the High Commissioner, and had now received a reply, dated October 4. Tho Hon. T. Mackenzie said that lie had continued to make inquiries, which showed that all tho New Zealand meal) had been sold to agents nominated by the respective New Zealand shippers. Every agent entered into an agreement pledging himself to part with the meat only to distributors. Order forms, returns, etc., were open for inspection. The British Government, he Had ascertained, was_ satisfied that the agents were acting in good faith, and that no unreasonable profit was being made. During, tih'e last four or five months there had been no changes in tho price of New Zealand meat. Agents reported that the steps taken ,to eliminate speculators had been completely successful. The price at which the Government was selling New Zealand meat was published weekly,. Selling agents met the Board of Trade from time to time to report progress, etc., and to discuss the best way of conserving the interest's of New Zealand. Sir Charles Kobinson had 110 interest as far as Mr Mackenzie knew in any meat business", bir Charles Robinson, Mr. Massey explained, was one. of the three gentlemen whom he had referred to on ;i - nrenous occasion as constituting the board which dealt with the Imperial meat supPO'i _ an u was a former Agent>-General tor Queensland. The suggestion had been made that he was interested in the meat trade. . This was without foundation.