MEAT EXPORT TRADE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 142, 11 March 1920, Page 8

MEAT EXPORT TRADE

A MASTERTON MEETING THE SHIPPING OP PRODUCE By Telcffraph.—Spoclal Correspondent. Masterton, March 10. Some 6ixty fanners, representing all the district branches of the Farmers' Union ami the A. nnd P. Associations, assembled here to-day to discuss the moat and shipping questions, and to appoint three delegates to a conference to be held in Wellington. Mr. W. Perry (president, of the Masterton A. aud P. Association) wis in the chair.

Mr. Hugh Morrison (president of the local branch of the Fanners' Union) said flint the resolutions to be submitted to the meeting would bo in the nature of leads to the delegates rather than actual instructions. This was advisable, as thev did not know what would transDire prior to the conference. He moved: "That the Wnirarapa delegates support in any possible way any proposals for the removal of the glut in the New Zealand freezing works." Sir Walter Buchanan. M.L.C., who seconded the motion, said that when ho left London last August there was no glut of meat. In his opinion, one of the principal causes of the present position was that the Imperial Government s arrangement with tho Argentine lind expired last September, and it was only reasonable to believe, therefore, that this republic had a very large quantity of meat for disposal. This meat was shinned to London in boats undoubtedly controlled ]>v the American Meat trust. \s the ioumcy occupied _ only twenn davs. the carcasses were simply chilled, and therefore had to bo placed on the market immediately on arrival Were was another reason, too, tor the glut. During the whole of his stay in England there was one thing continually before his eves-the extraordinary dryness of the season, the lack of fodder etc. On ton of that, private advices stated that the winter was more severe than usual II- was therefore reasonable to conclude that tho Home farmers were selling a treat number of their slock on the Home markets, thus competing nnduly with the Dominion product. Mr.-Llgai. of the Meat Export Company, had told the speaker that there was enough frozen neat in England or on the way to supply that country for the next twelve months. "1 don't think things arc as black as that, though." observed Sir V alter He wont on to say that according to the latest figures shipping space was available for less than 2,000.000 carcasses. , if Hie usual allowance was made for dairy pro-ducc-and that was just ns impor ant •in item of export as,the other-there fa, left only'space for 1.500,000 en> eacses. Their principal hope for. a remedv lay in a reduction m the re Img price of their meat, and in the checking of the supplies from the Argentine. As to possible relief through shipping io the Continent, there were no facilities for distribution. , Mr W H. Matheson objected lo the resolution on the ground that it was °Mr n Morrison agreed to siVbstitute "reasonable" for "possible," and the motion was carried unanimously. Air M'Leort proposed-. "That failing a satisfactory reply being given by the Imperial < overmnent that the New Zealand tores, will be cleared of meat by December, 1920. the Imperial Government should be pressed to continue the commandeer of meat until .Tune, 1021, with the condition that the store., are cleared by December, 1921. . 'The motion was carried. Sir Walter Buchanan moved: l i,llC should fair and reasonable freight arrangements for New Zealand produce not & possible with the shipping 'W«« trading to New Zealand, the Board of Aaricnltnre. with tin; consen o Government, be asked to call at tho driest convenient date « meeting of delegates from freezing companies, dairy companies, the Farmers' Union, and A. and P and other producers' associations to discuss the question of a shipping line or some other eftoclivo method of denl'ng with he position. The motion was carried. \ resolution was also passed asking for legislative power to take a vote of freezing companies and dairy ™mes as to the raising of a sum of .£1,000,000 to invest in shipping ' . ~ , Another resolution supported the sending of a commission lo England.