THE MEAT TRUST

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 27, 27 October 1920, Page 8

THE MEAT TRUST

DEBATE BROUGHT TO A CLOSE | - ' i REPORT OF STOCK COMMITTEE ADOPTED

The debate on the recommendation ,of the Stock Committee that a meat export •license should not be issued to Armour end Company of Australasia was continued in the House of Representatives yesterday. This report had been twicn ''talked out"

Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller) moved that ,'the report should 'be referred back to the committee for further consideration. He proceeded to say that "the New Zealand trust" was just as dangerous as any (American trust.

. Hon W. Nosworthy: What do you mean by "the New Zealand trust"? ■ Mr. Holland: "We will tell you all about •it when we get a commission." The member invited the Government to sot up a commission, which could investigate the methods'of the freezing, works thoroughly. He suggested that the people of Now Zealand were being supplied with liieat that was not fit.for human consult ption, and that surprising revelations would bo made before a commission of the .kind proposed. Evidence could bo secured from tho workers ongagod in the trade. Mr. W. H Field (Otaki) said he would pot deny that there were combinations in the meat trade. Ho believed that combinations existed in some parts of the country, and ought to be dealt with in a drastic way. But he was surprised to hear a member suggesting_ that something was wrong with tho handling of the meat in tho freezing works. The cllicial inspection, at the freezing works •was very, thorough, and he had always believed that it was effective. Mr. Pield proceeded to quote a published statement that, Swift and Company, one of tho units of the American Meat Trust, were operating in New Zealaud meat through agents, and were likely to come into competition,.with Armour and Company. Ht) thought- this statement should bo_ followed up The refusal of an export license to , A rmour and Company might merely have the effect of driving that company to opcia.to .in disguise. The firm could not be prevented from trading in New /calami meat. Mr. ,W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) thought Hint if the Government did its duty tho Aniericfin firm could b& absolutely prevontod from handling New Zealand meat [Any firm that meat for Ajmour ian l Co. should 'be deprived of its license. H>v believed that the sale of meat in Britain, by trusts through multiple Bhops was a; serious danger to New Zealand. (For this reason he regretted the action of the British Government in selling etocks of New Zealand beef to Vestey Brothers. The sale would assist the big firms' to get control of the retail trade, siiul in this way control Tetail prices. It was quite true that 1 the best of New Zealand's meat was bought for export, nnd that the worst of the meat was bought by tho butchers for the local trade. Mr. Lysnar added that the Government ought to adopt measures to control Vestey Brothers, ft firm which had tramifications all over tho world, and was stronger and more important than any one of . the "Big Five" packers in the United States. This firm had established itself in New Zealand, and had control cf freezing works in tho northern districts ,lt was not operating in its own same. ' The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Nosworthy) 6aid that the member ifcr Buller had made some vague, general charges. If he'had. any charge to mako let him put it in a direct form. "I am sick of these half-truths 'and! insinuations," said the Minister. "I challenge the honourable momber to make a direct statement against any person in this country or any fiwu. Will the honourable gentleman take up. that challenge P He merely smiles. Mr. Holland: Givo us the commission ' land we will show you. Mr. Nbswcrtliy: "You said you would get evidence from the workers.,Do you speak for the decent workers of than country? You, speak foi.a few agitators who are always trying to stir up strife. ; You do not speak for tho decent workers at all!" The Minister added that the Government was definitely opposed to the Meat Trust, and ho was surprised to find members formerly opposed to tho trust now taking ap the cudgels on its behalf. The Government realised that, the question was a very big one, and that the trust had influence with shijiping companies that were handling New Zealand meat.

"J have seen enough, of the Meat Trust, in America to be certain that I will vote against it every time," said Mr. Horn (Wakatipu). The member thought that the trust firms were more-interest-ed in getting control of the by-products than of the meat.

Mr. V. 11. Reed (Bay of Islands) (said he had supported the issue of a license to Armour and Company because he believed that the company would trade in New Zealand meat any way, and had better be kept in the open. The Government had wide powers of control, and he would like to see thoso powers used more fully. The Minister of Agriculture had permitted, for example, the transfer of Nelson Brothers' works to Vestey Brothers.

Mr. Lvsnar: lie has not consented to that. The position is that they oro carrying 011 in Nelson Brothers' name. I say that is wrong.

Mr. Iteed: The Minister could absolutely prevent killing 111 these works, and lie should do that.

Mr. Lysnar: I agree with you. Mr. A. D. M'Leod (Wairarapa) stated that a fight was proceeding in the Dominion between the proprietary freezing companies and' the co-operntive companies. Outside concerns, including Vestey Brothers, were getting control of tho proprietary companies, and all attack was being made upon the co-operative companies, which had been a very impurfaiil- Safeguard"ftfr the'" farmers. If the Government could support tho cooperative companies it ought to do so. The amendment moved by Air. Holland was rejected by 51 votes to 6. The minority consisted of Messrs. Holland, Sullivan, M'Combs, Howard, Edie, and Witty.

The report of the committee was then adoDted.