THE COMMANDEER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 304, 19 September 1919, Page 8

THE COMMANDEER

SHOULD IT BE CONTINUED? \ , FARMERS' UNION FAVOURABLE THE COMMISSION REGARDING MEAT

■ When the conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was resumed yesterday, discussion was continued on a remit, from Auckland—

"That the New Zealand Government bo urged to determine the commandeering of New Zealand produce at as early a date as possible, so as to prevent 'inanu-' facturors and profiteers from exploiting the. producers and consumers." The remit iyao seconded by Mr. S. C. Jounneaux (Auckland). ' Before, the delegates proceeded to discuss the matter, Sir James AVilson announced that .the Shipowners' Federation had passed the following resolution: —"That the New' Zealand Sheepowneg' Federation is of opinion that the Government should take immediate steps to endeavour to arrange with* the Imperial Government for the sale'to that Government of the whole of export of meat from New Zealand, for a further period of 12 month? from Juno 30. 1920, on the best terms available, subject, howover, to the Imperial Government lifting all its' purchases from stores in New Zealand not later than December 31, 1921.". Mr. E. Maxwell (Taranaki) said the financial affairs of the Dominion were in' such a critical condition that the Government shoutd be urged to extend the commandeer rather than that reliance should be placed on the efforts of any commission that might bo sent Home to inquire into the'meat question. Mr. E. D. Duxiield (Auckland) said he was against the fixing of prices, and as far as that point was concerned he was opposed to the commandeer. He supported tho remit. A Stable Market.

Mr. J. A. M'Pherson (Otogo) said that nothing been adduced to show that they should urge the abolition of the commandeer. They had received fairly satisfactory prices, <|ml had obtained 'a stable market, He did not. think they should kick away the bridge that had carried them successfully up to tho prosent. ■ i ■ , Mr. G. L. Marshall (Wellington) said a contract ■ had been entered into that the commandeer should be extended to June 30 next, and he would not be a party to breaking that contract. Mr. W, J. Poison (Wangamu) was of opinion that the commandeer should cease. He disputed the figures that had been laid before the conference by Mr. Lysnar in reference to the prices of meat at Home. . What tho Imperial Government had done was to "pool" New Zealand meat with American meat. New Zealand meat had, been brought Tip to a higher price than cost, and tho American meat-was being sold at less .than cost price. Tho whole of the meat was thus placed on tho market at the one price. To continue the commandeer beyond Juno 30 wou'.d be a great mistake. Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Auckland), having declared that there had been no proclamation extending tho commandeer to Juno 30, the president asked Dr. 0. J. Eeakes, Director of Agriculture, what the position was. Dr. Beokes said the New Zealand Government liad_ accepted the offer of the Imperial Government to extend the commandeer to June 30, 1920, therefore .at wag an absolute commitment on the part of the New Zealand Government, and to his mind the Government couM not repudiate its action without parting with its own honour. Mr. Lysnar said that he had purposely omitted the date from- his motion, for he favoured the commandeer being abolished as soon as it was convenient to do so. Ho did not want to break any contract.

. Mr. T. Moss (Wellington) pointed out that the conference had no mandate on behalf-of the dairying interests to urge that the commandeer of butter and cheese should cease. In his reply, -Mr. Lysnar said It was dearly tho duty of the Government to get tlio produce away from the Dominion. If any commission wns to go Home, then tho commandeer should be abolished. Ho said that if the mercantilo interests refused to make advances to_ the farmers on their produce he wns in favour of the establishment of a farmers' bank, and he was prepared to put down ,£IO,OOO to start the institution. The remit was lost "by 16 voteg to 13. Position of the Meat. Tho conference then proceeded to consideration of tho question as to whether a committee should bo sent Home to investigate the meat position. Sir James Wilson said that at a meeting of tho Slicepownore' Federation a resoiliuion wad passed in favour of the committee going Home. Mr. H. D. Vavasour (Marlborough) moved: "That this conference support tho proposal that tho Government should at once send Homo a commission to inquire into the position of the meat and wool industries, and that any powers given to the said committee shall not be given in relief of. Government responsibility: and that the object of the commission shall bo to assist tho Government in salving the difficult problem presented by tho impending conclusion of the commandeer; and, that two of the commission shall be, direct representatives of tho agricultural and pastoral industries, and bo nominated by these industries." It was pointed out by the president that, the proposition itcib really an amendment to the motion moved by Mr. Poison at Tuesday night's sitting of :the conference that a commission should 1m dispatched to the Old Country. That motion had not 'been disposed of, consideration having been postponed until after the conference had again conferred with the Shecpowners' Federation. Mr. Vavasour's proposition was put to tho voto and was lost.

The conference then considered the motion which had been moved by Mr. Prf«on on Tuesday night. This provided that a commission of one North Island representative, one South Island representative, one representative of farmers' freezing companies of New Zealand, and one Government official—Dr. Reakes forpreference—should proceed to England to examine tho conditions and.mako representations 'to tho Imperial Government concerning the New Zealand meat trade. It was suggested that the Imperial Government, should be urged to givo Dominion meat priority of shipment in preference of sale aver American meat purchased, and still unsold, by the Imperial Government, and that cofoninl meat sihould be placed on the market at a prico that would mean neither profit nor loss to tho Imperial authorities. Tho motion also provided that the commandeer should be amended so that on Juno 30 next tho .Now ZeaJiind freezing companies should becomo the ap»iits of the Homo Government for the disposal of New Zealand meat through legitimate channels, subject to the wishes of their clients. If this was not practicable, a proportion of freezing comrmnies' meat, and a proportion of Ininerial meat, to be agreed, upon mutually, should bo shipped from the Dominion, and ns fains possible kept separate. As a last resource, and failing other remedies,■'■arrangements should bo made for the continuation of tho commandeer.

Tbo motion, wa? carried. ' , Subsenuently. it was clociflecl flint Mr. W. J. Poison (Wanganui) should, bo the North Island representative on the commission, and Mr. D. .Tones (Dunsnndel) the South Island member.