THE MEAT TRADE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2810, 30 June 1916, Page 8

THE MEAT TRADE

\ ALLEGED TRUST OPERATIONS PRIME MINISTER'S ■'• ASSURANCE

The alleged operations of the American ' Meat Trust were referred to in the Houiie ■ yesterday by Air. T. M. Wilford, who 'asked the Prime Minister whether lie had "noticed a Press paragraph, stating that 'the buyer of the American .Meat Trust had beei) operating in the Taranaki district, and dad purchaseed 800 head of cattle, which were beiuj sent to the freezing 'works. He inquired whether ' the Prime Minister had any information on the subject—he himself was convinced • that tho only way to deal with the Trust ' was by the control of the shipping from this country. The lit." "Hon. W. F. Massey replied . that he would be glad to look into tho question. He would say, however, that every ounce of meat that went out of the country—no matter by whom it was consigned—went to the Imperial Board of Trade,' and the meat that was suitable was taken for army purposes. All tho ."beef and most of the mutton were so ..taken, while the lamb was generally Iplaced on the London market. If tho .Meat Trust was operating in New; Zea- . laud—and he had no evidence of it, although he had his own opinion—then it was no disadvantage to the emallest for all were equal so far as the purchase of meat were concerned. ;.; Mr. Wilford: Who gets the difference .between the army price and the market •price—if any part is sold? ;;■: Mr. Massey: If there is any profit it .goes to the Board of Trade. Up to -January last I was told that no profit viiad been made, but since then, on ac--count of the price of meat, I am inclined to think some profit must have ■been made. Mr. Massey added that it and when he reached London ho hopea to investigate this subject. -.Mr. Witty- What does the' Board do with the money? '- Mr. "lassev: It is in their possession. ~ Mr. Witty": Does it go back to the shippcr,s? •• Mr. Massev: No, it is their own money, 'and I have'no doubt it will be utilised "in the ordinary way. The v Board of Trade is really a Department of the Imperial Government, and they deal with ns ' Sneaking generally, he added, tho Board had treated New Zealand and its producers very well indeed.' (Heat, hear.)