A SERIOUS QUESTION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3094, 26 May 1917, Page 8

A SERIOUS QUESTION

THE MEAT STOCKS The question of paying the produoer for the meat sent to the freezing works for export is assuming a very serious aspect (says the'"Farmers' Union Advocate"). The meat, being purchased "on board", and paid for' on shipment, while there wcro very few ships on which to load it, meant that the producers had to wait for their money or arrange for advances from the companies or their bankers. There are in store now nearly three million carcasses, and the probability is that it will be many months before the bulk of it willfind accommodation on the steamers. Tho Government, realising the difficulty, has through the Minister of Finance practically completed arrangements with The Imperial authorities to provide money to make payments on account of meat to.be shipped on behalf of the Homo Government. It is not quite clear whether these pay-' ments will apply to all meat in store •or only to that required for Army purposes. However, as all meat passes through Government hands it is likely to apply generally. So far as this season's meat is concerned the relief afforded will he very great, particularly to those companies and financial ■ institutions who have been exhibiting considerable anxiety about the heavy risks they were being asked to carry. Unfortunately this relief, which is fully appreciated, does not help ub in the matter of shipment but rather causes us to feel that it,may adversely affect us, by creating the' impression at Home that as the meat-is for the most part paid for there will not be the same urgency for shipment. . ' This, however, is not the case. ,By 'far the greatest cause for apprehension is the probability that tho stores will still be full when the new season opens. It is not ; a question of meeting trouble haft-way. Preparation for tho fat lamß trade must be made very soon, and fatteners . ! aro at their wits' end to know what to do, and already gloomy prospects have caused a considerable drop in the value of stock. It may be necessary for farmers to make provision for keeping the lambs on their farms, and in many cases, this may be possible; but the lamb-fattening industry cannot be made to suit the exigencies of a moment. ■/■'.■