FROZEN MEAT TRADE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 229, 22 June 1921, Page 11

FROZEN MEAT TRADE

THE SHIPPING PROBLEM

DEFENCE OF FREEZING COMPANIES'-

By Telegraph—Pres. ABSociation. Gisborne, June 21.

Replying to a statement by Mr. W. J. Polson at Wanganui regarding the attitude of the freezing companies to the shipping problem, Mr. C. D. De Lautour, chairman of directors of the Gisborne Sheepfarmere' Company, emphasised the fact that he personally had no scheme. Amongst the numerous schemes, one project was to borrow largely and build or buy ships, another was to form a producers’ company, and another advocated a State line of shipping. The weakness of them all was that they were in apparent rivalry, yet all originated from farmers or farmers’ friends, and while this want' of co-ordination among producing interests continued nothing would be done.

“To be quite fair to the freezing companies,” he said, "the question was not fully considered by- them last week. The members of the deputation had but scanty instructions, and must accept some personal responsibility for views submitted. One thing is clear, that the • control, or even partial control, of transport of our exports and imports is too big a thing to be placed under the mandate of any. one interest. The distinction between a State line and Government control, which Mr. Massey has so far not favoured, and an independent board with Government representation, but relieving the Government from administrative responsibility, is clear and in line with the best methods of administration now general’ in the Dominion. The freezing companies have been con. sured for making a contract commencing when the Government requisition lapsed. This contract expires in twelve months' time.

"It follows," added Mr. De Lautour, "that if nothing is done before September to set up some organisation by legislation, when the current contract expires the freezing companies will, be in exactly the name position of helplessness as they were when compelled to enter, into the current contract. They have to negotiate with tied hands. They will again be blamed whatever fiction they are compelled to take. At the last Producers' Conference, in all interests the freezing companies submitted a proposal which was- adopted unanimously, viz., that a shipping board be set up with joint representation of the Government and producers, inclusive of the freezing companies, The board was to be given general powers to enter into contracts for the carriage of exports and imports, with alternative powers, for the protection of New Zealand interests whore reasonable agreements with shipping lines usually trading to New Zealand were not reached. What was urged last week was strictly in line with these proposals. The Minister was asked to provide by legislation for the. establishment of such a board without elaborating its future possible scope of opera-, tions. The legislation required would be of the simplest nature in the mean’time. If it justified its. creation, it could be worked into practical shape. If the initial step of establishing a board were taken wh«n ,the present contracts with the freezing companies expire, the shipping companies would have tho advantage of dealing with a dulv constituted authority, which could, speak with no uncertain voice, and, indirectly, with Government approval. . On the producers' side, again, all. possible alternatives could be* looked into before the current contracts expire. The freezing companies will not take separate action in the least adverse to the interests of tho producers unless they are forced to do so by the drift of time and the impossibility- of joint practical action.”