THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 27, 26 October 1917, Page 7

THE HOUSE

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. MEAT TRUSTS , COMMITTEE'S REPORT DISOUSSED. Tha debate on the report of the Meat Export Trade Committee was resumed. Mr. J. PAYNE (Grey Lynn) said that he was glad tho committee had established the fact that the meat trust is operating in New Zealand. Ho contended that the American trust could not give a higher price than we could if we placed our stuff on tho English market, and sold if direct to tho_ consumer by means of retail shops. This scheme would enable us to pay a higher price to the producer. We must also own our shipping. Mr. T. A. H. FIELD (Nelson) said tho feet of the operations ot the trust in America had been that tho farmers had been badly squeezed, and the production of meat had been reduced. It was intolerable that New Zealaud was to bo dominated by the weight of these millions of the trust, and a. remedy lvould have to ba found. Ho believed flial tho remedy would bo in somo measure of Governmont control, and ho believed that if the New Zealand Government and the British Government were sincere about it, they could beat out tho trust. Tho farmers had little complaint against the freezing companies, but the committeo hold that tho practice of giving rebates was. a bad ono. He said that on the committee ho could not gather that anyone on the committeo was trying to prove that. J. G. Ward and Co. had any connection with improper operations of tho Meal Trust. Sir Joseph Ward had apparently thought that tho committes was trying lo show this, but this was not so.

Air. J. ANSTEY (Waitaki) said it had been suggested in evidence that the Ocean Beach Worts wore in soma way connected with Armour and Co. An opportunity was given for the refutation of this insinuation,, and the refutation was absolutely complete. Legislation should bo passed siring the Government power to deal with trusts as soon as they were likely to become a danger to tho community. The New Zealand Government was powerless to deal effectively with tho trusts except in combination with the British Government. "The First Gun." .. Mr. T. A. H. FIELD (Nelson) said tse report, of the committee was tho first gun in tho fight with tliese great American meat companies. These companies were also getting a grip of tho butter trade and other food supplies. If the iroducers put their head into the noose

the cord would sooner or later be lightly drawn, and they would never ajjaiu bo ablo to lieo themselves. iir. Field proceeded to read evidence ptaccu before tho curnmitU'O io tfhow liow American companies were openitiuK in New Zealand. The committeo had endeavoured to iind out how it was that New Zealand* lamb released in Euglaud at or lfld. a lb. sold again at a lb., but they h&d not succeeded in clearing litis matter up. jVeu* Zealand must go into the light against the trusts with determination to win and save the producers from becoming tho slaves ol toreign Certain facts that had coins to light showed tho need ol' the people of iNew Zealand being 011 their guaru against the establishment in thft l/ - million of German companies under various disguises. • % , ' Mr.".U J. TALBOT (Terauka) remarked that the trusts squeezed both the consumer and tho producer, the Ameiican. companies wore out for world domillation, and liad certainly gained a looting 'in New Zealand by peaceful peneI ration. 'J'liey had created an L , ''> ,U V problem, and not merely a New Zealnni. problem. The committee's report convainen nmcft useful matter for.siiuly and future guidance. If I hose recommendations were acted on tho Dominion would lie on a fair way to deal elleetiyely witu the operations of the trusts. Wo shpuld, however, guard against tho tendency "in certain. quartern to looli with suspicion and jealousy on every successful institution simply because 1 was successful. l{eb;ites should be pio.noited or all persons should receive equal treatment. A permanent commitue to Keep ill.touch with the problem mi„. J well be i set up, and the bovernuiuit should sie that these foreign companies sliould Lj4 lnadu to pay adequate taxahJ£r. C.'li. POOLE (Auckland West) described the origin and Z l '?*';J American jueat trusts and Ihe.i lamincations in.- various parts of the ■ He hoped that legislation won u be brought down as 6*m as possible to gi. effect to certain o. tho committee. New Zealand MW® a great mistake in connection witl the Union Steam Ship Company, whoso ships ini"ht have been made a good stave service. The larmers vno were tempted by the high pnoe, ofto.ed by the trusts would get a kick a jnde later, and they' would get it in the lie - ify 00-operatioit with Australia, thej might be able to stand against the opeiations of tho great trusts. , Mr.' P. C. .Webb (Grey) and Lr. Thackor (Ohristchurch st ), ._P rot {;fj ed that inadequate opportunities been given for the discussion oia mallei of such importance. , . • . Mr. E. P. LEE (Oamaru), ciuiirman of the committee, had two minutes befoio the dinner adjournment for his repij ■ He expressed the, hope that the Government would carefully consider the leport and evidence during tlie recess, ana give cffcct to those suggestions as they might consider necessary to enable them, to deal effectively with .the meat, trnsos. The report and tho evidence were, laid on the table'and ordered to bo printed.