THE MEAT TRUST

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 276, 16 August 1920, Page 6

THE MEAT TRUST

DISCUSSED BY FARMERS

NOT WANTED IN NEW ZEALAND

Br Telwr&ph-SpMlal Oorrwrondent. • Masterton, Aueust is n? u re ? J ', attcn(ic(i lnfetin ? of farmers at Masterton on Saturday aftcmom o in of \" ,e 8 , ln ,^ ew Zealand and of the panting of a license to Armour and Co were, introduced by Mr. W. Perry. •Air, Perry said that the Trust would a -, 6cn , OUS danger to t!»e Dominion once it got a grip. The matter was one which concerned, not only the farmer toi.t every other inhabitant of New Zealand. Ho criticised at some length a pamphlet which was. 'being circulated PIS' the Dominion, and which was 5? m» 5 about the American Meat trust. Mr. Perry said that the tact was being carefully hidden from tho iarnier and tho general public that meat could bo sold f.o.b. to anyone and then disposed of anywhere in the world. Mr. Perry went on to say that the supporters of the Trust were labouring tho fact that wo must have competition to secure the best results to tho farmer. Armour and Co. could purchase f.o.b.—it was not necessary for the firm to have a license, ftnd they were carefully hiding that fact. Tho "Globe" nowspaper did not require a license to purchase the meat which they had forwarded to America. The paper simply bought it f.o.b. If Armour nnd Co. desired to engage in buying meat in this Dominion they could do so without a license and on the f.o.b. principle. After severely criticising tho action of the Canterbury sheep farmers in supporting a licenso being granted to Armour and Co., Mr. Perry asked what would happen to tl*e small farms in New Zealand were this big company to start in New Zealand. It might be all very well for the company to say that it not desire to erect freezing works in New Zealand, 'but what would be the ultimate position? _ Replying to various statements contained in the packers' pamphlet, Mr. Perry stated that the result of the 'American Trade Commission inquiry set lip by President Wilson to go into the operations of the Meat Trust was that the American Meat Combine had been ordered to sell out within three years their packing houses, refrigerator cars, and other business appliances by which they were enabled to dominate the meat trade of the United States. The consequence was that tho Trust was seeding other countries in which to commence operations—South Africa, Brazil, and so on. , Mr. Perry stated that according to tho statements made in tbfe packers pamphlet the packers "were not engaged In anv combine or conspiracy in restraint of trade, but were keen open energetic competitors one against the other. Mr. Perry pointed out that- thern was conclusive evidence given before the American Commission tot members of the combine appeared to 'be competing against each other, but that the stock purchased was afterwards divided up on an agreed percentage basis. Mr. Perry etron"ly urged tho farmers to oppose a license being granted to Armour and Co He moved: "That this meeting of farmers views with alarm the offorts now being made to urge the Go T er ™™L n crant a meat trading license in New Zealand to Armour and Co., and would strongly urge the Government to do all within its power to keep combines such BS the Meat Trust from operating m New d 'several of those" present had motion was carried unanimously.