NEW ZEALAND MEAT IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 276, 18 August 1919, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND MEAT IN LONDON

THE IMPERIAL COMMANDEER POSITION DISCUSSED BY FARMERS By Telegraph—Special Correspondent." Maitei'lon, August 10. At a general meeting of tho Mnstertou A. ami P. Association, hold to-day, bho ri'sdutiou pnsiswl by tho Ferkiinn iVirmere' Laeezing Oompany again came up Eor discussion. Tho resolution, whidk. had merely boon "received' , by lust Saturday's meeting, reail as follows:— "That in view of the serioue position likely to arise at tho Improial coinmandeor of Xew Zealand meat set out in the statement prepared 'by Jl>. W. .)'. Poison, the co-operation of the fannors' frewinp; eompanies in New Zealand is earnestly requested to bring pressure to bear on the Government to set up a commissiou of expert familiar with the moat busings (i'rwn both fnrmere and freozinff companies' -point of view), and tho position at Home, and, if possible, to arrange for the further distribution of our meat, and, further, to endeavour to induco the EiiKlish authorities to pine© our moat, on the market without profit or law to the Imperial! Government."

,A letter was also received from the Now Zealand Fanners' Union stuttng that a meotinj? of the Wellington Provincial lixeentivc of the T'lirmers' Union would bo hold at Palmerston North on Thursday, August 21, to consider the report of the deputation to the Prime Minister mid Sir Joseph Ward regarding the serious position caused by the congestion of meat at the freezing works, and high prices charged for New Zealand meat at Home, and to consider what further action could ho taken. The union asked fur tiho presence of a delegate from tho association.

Mr. J, C. Cooper said that the Foilding resolution had been treated rather curtly ftt Sast! Saturday's meeting. While he did not agree with all tho .suggestions p\it forward, or with tho suggestion contained in tho resolution to send Homo delegates, lio iihonght something should be dope. Prom the'way in which meat was falling in price on tlha English markets it was apparent that meat was getting stale in the stores. A great deal of meat had been in store since 1918, and' after a certain period the Imperial Government had to pay storage. To these concerned in Not' Zealand the result was that 'lOd. per .pound for beef had to be charged in England, so that tho expenses could he covered. The contract with the Imperial Government-hod expired Inet June, but representations had been mndo which Iliad resulted in the contract 'being extended for one year. Tho question was, what was going to bo done in twelve months' tirao? He did not like the ideu of u ronoKftil of tho contract, which Wed the hiuids of producers «uid allowed tho American Trust to exploit the market. At the same time there waa no alternative to a contract, and tho war was now over. It was obligatory on tho part of the Imperial authorities to provide ships or otherwise offer some palliative to complete llhoir agreement regarding shipping. Mr. Cooper eaid that '

To Ease the Position during the past week arrangements had been nuiue which dhouhl wise the position. Backed by the New Zealand Government, tho representatives of the meat companies had approached the authorities at Jlomo, who had consented to do their bsst. Hecently he had -received, a cablegram from hk London manager stating that the shipping available was not sufficient to carry more than half the meat in store. Eleven, ships had left, or were swing, England, und should arrive by October, but apai't from those there was a considerable number of ships at present around tho coast, which should relieve the position. Ho had been informed tjhafc the ships on their way wero bringing their own coal, so that there would bo a minimum of- delay at tho Dominion port?. Although tho position was not as ho would like it, it was better in comparison with a year ago. If the position did not improve, farmers generally would have to mayo to ecs that tho 11)21 seaeon's business was disposed of. Mr. Sykes, M.P., 'said that Mr. Cooper had plflced t!ho position Wore them dearly and forcefully. He agreed that it would bs labour lost to send Home delegates, who would have no influence in tho riffht quarters. Mr. Mnesey and Sir Joseph Ward had. mado them cognisant of Hie facts relating to the meat trado and shipping, and the Government had doiio its very beet Sixteen insulated ships trading with JJow Zealand had been sunk during the war, and it would take some timo to replace them. He did not see any possibility of avoiding-an-other commandeer. Jt was only natural that the Imperial Government should h«ve first call on shipping in order to oleav the existing stocks of meat. lie doubted very much whether tho Imperial Government, though receiving high prices, would come out very much on tho credit side. Stalo Meat. Mr. J. M'Gregor asked Mr. Cooper how long the meat might be kept before going ataf.e. Mi: Cooper replied that the quicker meat was put on tho market the swoeter "ijd jueier. would it be. From bis own observation the meat kept in store for the nso of his own men was not worth much after the expiration of a year. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Cooper. On tho motion of Mr. M. H Perry seconded by Mr. Holmes Warren, it was decided thnt tlio president, ono vicepmmlent. and Mr. J C. Cooper bo appointed delcgati*. to attend the proposed meeting of the Farmers' Union at PaJnierston North. It was revived to write to the Feildin,? J. , Miners' Freezing Company informing them of the previous resolution. The Hides Embarno. Liter, Mr. Cooper mentioned the hides embargo imposed liv the New Zealand Government, but lifted later on when the pnee started tii rise. The tanners Had persuaded the Government to reimPC6O tho embargo, ivilh tho result that the price for M classes of pelts 'was l!kl. The reason for tho restricting of tho pneo was to supply boots at standardised price, but it wns wrong to penalise one class, and it was the farmers' duty to luivo tho restrictions removed. The tanuors were making fortunes through the embargo, and had oven shipped somo away. The position was that the tanners puid 13d. for a hide, though it was worth 2s. _ It wae resolved that the matter be left in (:ho hands of the Mi-legates to brin<' up at the meeting at Palmwslou North