ARMOUR AND CO.’s EXPORT LICENSE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 284, 25 August 1921, Page 6

ARMOUR AND CO.’s EXPORT LICENSE

REMOVAL OF RESTRICTION URGED BY SHEEPOWNERS.

Tiie question of granting a meat export liceiise to Armour and Co. was discussed at some length at yesterday’s annual meeting of the New Zealand Sheepowners and Farmers’ Federation. The subject was introduced by Mr. L. A. Rutherford, who gave a brief resume of the correspondence that had taken place regarding the matter. He went on to state that no real reason had yet been found for the refusal of the license. Mr. F. S. Pope, Assistant-Director-General of Agriculture, attended tho meeting at the invitation of the federation, for the purpose of enlightening delegates on the matter. In the absence of the Director-General, Dr. C. J Reakes, Mr. Pope stated in answer to a question that so far as he was aware no additional reason had been found for the refusal of the license other than the original report of the commission. In the course of a general discussion, Mr. J. Begg (Southland) said that it was most unjust to refuse a license 15 one firm while granting it to others equally capable of using trust methods Mr. J. L. Marshall (Marton) stated that, so far as his knowledge went of the Wellington province, the fueling seemed to be fairly general that the license should not be granted to Armour and Co Ho thought that this would apply to'the North Island generally. Air Sherratl (Poierty Bay) said that, speaking for Gisborne and Poverty Bay districts, this was certainly not the case. Practically all the prominent sheepowners in his district were certainly in favour of the license being grantee'.. , Mr M'Grcgor (Southland) also spone in support, of the license being granted and said that in the interests of British fairplay it was only right that Armour and Co. should he allowed to operate until somrlhing definite had been proved against th p m. , .. . G. H. Andrew (Marlborough) also strongly supported the granting of the IC Mr. C Rutherford, in reply, contended that the principle of free and open competition for our mrots here in New Zealand was at stake. Whether it lias Armour and Co. or not, every myer our produce should be encouraged to tho fullest extent to give the producer in (he Dominion the benefit of free competition rather than that this competition should he taken to the United Kingdom where tho New Zealand producer could not benefit. Ue moved that the meeting affirm Ihe opinion that a meat exnort. license should be granted to Armour and Co. forthwith The motion was seconded by Mr. J. Begg (Otago). ’ An amendment moved by Alt. (. Haycock (AVnirarapa) and seconded by Mr T L Marriiail (Marton) that tho matter be’held in abeyance ’.ill (he,relurn of Mr. Massey was lost, only three delegates voting in its favour. The motion was then carried, there being only three dissentients.