The Dominion. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1916. OUR COMMANDEERED MEAT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2858, 24 August 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1916. OUR COMMANDEERED MEAT

It does seem somewhat strange thab no satisfactory explanation is forthcoming regarding the dealings in our commandeered meat after it reaches London. Tho producers of tho Dominion met the Government and the British authorities in a reasonable spirit when tho proposal was made that the meat available for export from New 'Zealand should be sold to the British Government at a fixed price for the period of tho war. The producers no doubt received a good price, but they made some sacrifice in comparison with the prices realised in the London market. They were influenced in the matter by a belief that the difference in the price paid them and the ruling market' rate would go to tho British Government or to tho British consumer, and would in consequence be in the nature of a patriotic war gift by the producers of the Dominion to Great Britain and to the Empire. The deputation of producers which waited on Mr. Massey yesterday made it clear how greatly they had been disappointed in this respect. The very considerable profits made on that portion of the New Zealand meat purchased Tiero under the agreement and placed on tho London market appear to have passed into the hands of private individuals or companies, while the Government and the consumer have not profited at all. That to all appearances, is the position in relation to the. surplus meat not required for Army purposes. The position is aggravated by the suspicion that the American Beef Trust has been taking advantage of the situation to extend its ramifications and add to its profits. Another very unsatisfactory feature is the change in the relative positions of Ncw'Zcaland and Argentine mutton which has come about as tho result of the arrangement entered into with the Imperial authorities. New Zealand meat is nominally quoted' at a lower 'figure than the inferior Argentino article, and a harmful impression is 'thus being created. New Zealand meat has won a certain standing in the London market _ by virtue of its quality which, judged _ by the prices now quoted, is being jeopardised. This is not so much a matter of immediate concern; it is rather one likely to prejudice our producers after' tho war, when the market becomes again open to them in tho jtsual wa,y, and they have tho opportunity to dispose of their produce through the ordinary channels. They

will then come into open competition with Argentine meat under the handicap created by tho conditions arising out of the arrangement entered into with the Imperial authorities for the duration of tho war. Altogether the situation gives good ground for grievance on the part of trio New, Zealand meat producers, and it is extremely disquieting, that all efforts to place matters on a better footing have failed. • Tho Prime Minister appears to have been actively inquiring' into the position, but so far with little result. The information which he placed before tho deputation yesterday as to tho latest step taken on behalf of the producers of the Dominion apparently met with the hearty approval of those present, but for the time being his communication to the Home authorities must bo treated as confidential. Possibly when he is in England Mr. Massey will be better able to press his representations on the Imperial Government than can be done by correspondence from New Zealand; and ho may also find himself in a position to suggest changes in the existing arrangement which plainly are urgently called'for.