THE MEAT TRUST

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 208, 28 May 1919, Page 10

THE MEAT TRUST

'FARMERS demand safeguards DAIRY INTERESTS THREATENED Three remits relating to the Moat Trust were placed before the Farmers' t'uion Conference in Wellington yesterday. The proposals of the branches were as follow: — "That the 'Jovernmeut be requested to take further steps to prevent the Meat Trust operating in this Dominion.''— (1-Vatherslon.) "That the Government be requested to publish the names of tlio representatives of the Meat Trust, also the names under which the Meat Trust is operating in this Dominion."—(Carterton.) "That, with a view to preventing tlio agents of the .Meat Trust operating in dairy produce in this Dominion, the conference urges the National Dairy Association to advise all dairy companies lo consign their produce to the Home markets and to arrange for their own means of distribution there."—(l'eathers.ton.)

The president (Mr. G. I. Marshall), in hip opening address, referred to the congestion in the New Zealand cold stores. "The Hoard of Trade," he said, "allotted a.certain number of ship? for the Australasian trade, and we are'told that Australia, lias >'ot more than half her meat away. Why were the ships allowed to go there first? The American Meat Trust owns a large proportion of the Australian output of meat, and it seems probable that influence lias been at work to clear that, meat' first. It would bo very interesting to be able to get to tlio bottom of it, hut certain it is that it is not a 'square deal.' It seems to bo a fact that the American meat pack-el's have out-manoeuvred our men all tho time, and their last bal-ance-sheet disclosed a profit ,of over twelve million pounds. They have been paid nearly double the price for their beef that we have been getting, and yet it has been sold at the same price as oiir own at. Home."

Mr. T. Benton (Featherston) said there was no doubt at all that the Meat Trust was threatening the New Zealand market. The Trust was aiming at nothing less than control of the meat trade of the world. The remedy was not easy to devise, 'but it seemed clear that there must be safeguards in London- as well as in New Zealand.

Mr. C, C. Jackson (Masterton) mentioned that the Meat Trust was not confining its operations to meat. It was dealing in all other foodstuffs and produce. Ihe trust bad enormous power in the United Slates, and it had made its appearance in New Zealand. If tho Government did not lake adequate protective measures, tho trust would control the producers of this country in its own interests.

h. s^- n V - n J - J 3 "' 0 ! 1 ( MMt on) suggested th.it. tho Featherston remit should he extended to cover distribution in tho United Kingdom. The Featherston delegate agreed to.tho addition of (ho following words, "and to flic distribution in Great Britain.

Iho use of co-operation as a weapon sminst the trust was urged by several delegates. The producers could trace heir produce right to the consumer if ',S!' toolc " le necessary measures The- president (Mr. G. L. Marshall) referred to tho legislation of last year, pronimtui? persons and companies'from acting.as meat exporters without license, llio Act gave the Minister for Agriculture, power to prevent tho (rust operating in New Zealand. Tho question wag .whether or not these- powers were adequate. Ihe trust was an enormously powerful body. it had matle m.o,mtn, K to .027,000,000 in 1917, and so could afford to treat New Zealand's trade ? a P r ??? tl 7 el y sma " «n"air. It could cheerfully face losses here in order to secure ultimate control. Mr J. Smith (Taihape) said the remedy for the trust might be found in Shite meat shops and State distribution Mr. H. Daysh (Masterton) .offered Imperial preference as tho solution of the problem. The Governments of the Umpire nipst see that Imperial trado was kept in Imperial channels. Mr. M'Donnld (Te Horo) thought the weapon to use against the Men! Trust was combination of producers, worker--and commercial people. The whole community was threatened by the trust, which undoubtedly 'bad a footing in the country, ihe trust was even putting its dummies" on the land. Other delegates said the Carterton remit affected dairy producers as well as meat producers. The cheese, and butter had been bought by the Imperial Government for two.years, but tho tru«t would be a danger to the dairy-farmers afterwards.

Mr V. B. Matheson (Eketahuua) said the Government ought to be preventing the trust operating in New Zealand, viider the existing law, yet the Carterton remit proposed the publication of 'ho uanies of the representatives of lie trust m New Zealand.

. Other delegates urged that the fanners could not -have too much information, liit! trust, undoubtedly was operating in New Zealand. This had been proved bv the Meat trust Committee of tho House of Representatives. Several ablegates supported the second l'eatlierston remit, and pointed out that the dairy interests were direct.lv threatened by the trust. Tt was stated that the Nationnl Dairy Association had the matter in hand.

-Mr. H. A. Nevins (Tinui) said the dairy' fanners would have to protect their own interests. Very great benefits had been obtained by combination already He remembered when he got. Gd. per lb. for butter-fat and had to take out the •money m stores. The three remits were adopted b v the conference. , "'