NEW ZEALAND MEAT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 242, 7 July 1921, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND MEAT

PRICES TOO LOW AND FREIGHTS TOO HIGH MR. MASSEY SPEAKS TO TRADE INTERESTS IN LONDON By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. July 7, 1 a.m.) London, July 5. In a speech to representatives of meat trade interests, Mr. Massey said the price of products from New Zealand had fallen, but the cost of freight and handling had gons up. The first shipment of frozen meat io London from New Zealand in 1881 cost 3ld. per lb., but to-day, with all the improvements and inventions, the cost was about 4d. A few days ago New Zealand beef was sold at Smithfield at 31d. per lb. This could not go on. There was something wrong somewhere. Someone was getting a higher profit than ho should. Mr. Massey gave every credit to the shipowners for their enterprise, but the freights were higher than they should be. He knew the expenses were high, but if the producer was not getting the prices shipowners ought to bo satisfied to take a smaller share for the time being. Producers in oversea* countries were not getting their fair share for labour and enterprise, and something would have to be done to remedy that state of affairs. With reference to trusts, Mr. Massey said: "You have heard of them, and know them. I do not care whether they are British or foreign. They are out to exploit, the public. The time has come when we will have to fight them. It will be a fight to a finish. It will not he the public who will lose the fight.” In the course of his speech Mr. Massey quoted figures showing that New Zealand was far the biggest shipper of lamb and mutton to Britain, and, including beef, was second only to Argentina. He urged still greater foodstuffs trad© with tho Dominions- and Crown colonies, and showed bv figures that other countries were gradually increasing their shipments to Britain—Special to Press Assn.