THE MEAT POOL

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 75, 21 December 1921, Page 6

THE MEAT POOL

DISCUSSED BY THE HOUSE MANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING DETAILS NEEDS OF THE PRODUCERS MEMBERS APPROVE OF THE SCHEME The debate concerning the suggested meat pool was taken in the House of Representative; yesterday. No formal motion was placed before members, the opportunity for the debate being provided by the presentation of the annual report of the Agricultural Department. Members of the House asked many questions concerning the details of the scheme, and expressed ipprehensions on some points, but the trend of the debate was favourable to the scheme.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M. Wilford) opened the debate. He said that while the Prime. Minister had consulted his own party, and not the other side of the House, «vhile he had not taken the course he had followed in the case of money on deposit the Opposition intended, nevertheless, to treat tho matter from aj Dominion and not a party standpoint. He hoped that the Prime Minister would give members much more information about the scheme than they yet possessed. Was the pool to exist for one season or for a longer period? Would the pool be national or district in its scope? Would payment be made to the producers on the hooks or on shipment? He believed that compulsion would be a necessary part of the pool. Grading would also be required. How would this grading affect existing and ■ wellestablished brands? Some freezing companies had built iu> reputations their brands and might bo materially affected by ?. pool. Would tne proprietary companies be nut out of action bv the ■ nool ? Air. W ilfo'd said that a vital ouestion wa° the control of the pool. The Prime Minister would be too busy a man to manage the scheme, which in any case ought to be in the hands of experts of wide experience in the meat trade. The Government would be required to back fhb scheme, and it ought to see that the men in control were thoroughly efficient. FINANCIAL ASPECTS. The financial side of the scheme, continued Mr. Wilford, would require careful consideration. Would the big companies engaged in financing the producers be able to continue their work and maintain their identity?' Ho presumed that the Bank of New Zealand would provide the financial backing. Insurance would be a difficult matter, since the stock would lose its identity as soon as it was killed. The insurance arrangements would require to 'be changed to suit the pool. Apparently ,n .® uran ®® must bo pooled, and he thought it would be a good thing if the Government undertook the insurance itself. Cho loc3 ‘ consumers would have the ri“‘ that they should be supplied with neat from the pool at the Ixindon parity, le»s charges. Care should be taken not to interfere with the local abattoirs. Mr. Wilford suggested that in co " n V c with the scheme the Government should consult representative men mitside thp farmers’ organisations. Sinai! farmers should have a voice, and the stock ana station companies and the freezing companies Should get a hearing. Wha w going to be done with the meat after it had reached London? In conclusion Mr Wilford wished the scheme succe. s. He b™ d that it could be made a success in the right hands and that it successful it would be of very gren benefit to the Dominion. It should not; be limited to one year. THE MEMBERS' COMMITTEE. Mr D. Jones (Kaiapoi) told tho mittee of members that had certain questions sumbitted by the Government, and had made Messrs. McLeod, Glenn Hawken, H. Hamilton, Bi-chener, and Jones. A member: All on one side. Did you consult the other parties. Mr Jones said it was not usual for Government to go outside its own party for its policy. He proceeded to say thnt the position of the meat mapkp demanded action on the part of the New Zealand producers. The London market was glutted and individual producers were pushing down prices in the process of selling against one another. Another factor to be considered was a shortage of fodder in Britain. This shortage was sending home-killed meat, into the market in unusually large quantities, and was increasing the trouble this year, though it probably would help New Zealand next year. In these conditions a pool was necessary. Many of the blew Zealand freezing companies wore not buyin" at the present time. They had been hard hit last season, and were not in a position to buy. The alternative Io a pool would lie the export of -housands of separate consignments to Ixindon, where the farmers would inevitably destroy one another's market. Mr. Jones assured the House that the mercantile companies would support the scheme, and would not. lie prejudiced. They would continue Io do their usual work Insurance would not. present ’ any difficulty. The ordinary companies had insured meat in bulk during the period of the commandeer. He agreed that in recent years much poor r.eat had lieen exported from New Zealand. This should not b? allowed to occur again, and for that reason Government control of grading was required. The protection of the interests ot the local consumers ought not to present, any serious difficulty. If necessary the retail butchws could be supplied from the pool as had been done from Imperial stocks during the war. The ordinary auction sales would continue. iho workers in town and country had a direct interest in the success of the scheme, since they would all r,after 1 the position of the farmer did not improve. He did not believe that there would be any strong opposition from the freezing companies. The men controlling these companies had to face facts, and they knew that the present state ot affairs could nor be permitted to continue. MACHINERY AVAILABLE. The succe-z fliat had attended the Imperial purchase scheme, said Mr. Jones, was proof that the pool was practicable. 'I he machinery of the Imperial Supplies Department was in existence. One effect ot the pool would be to make it possible far the farmers to keep off the. London market the heavy mutton that otherwise would be going forward, and further depressing the British market. The lamb would continue to go forward, and the heavy mutton should be held until prices improved. The New Zealand producers really had a great opportunity to improve the conditions of their trade. They 'had got prices down to bedrock,

and they had the chance to reduce competition and cut out wasteful methods. The basis of the pool on the financial side would be a Government guarantee, which had been applied successfully and without loss to the State in other directions during past years. The Government in practice was ii partner in every farm in New Zealand and it could not afford to let tho farmers down. The scheme, added Mr. Jones, would put the control of the meat industry where it ought to be—tn the hands of the primary producers of tho Dominion. AN OPPOSITION COMPLAINT. Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton) said the House had an Agricultural, Pastoral, and Stock Committee, but, this body had not been consulted at any point regarding the scheme. A private committee of Government supporters had been set up, and this committee had met the representatives of the producers and of the big companies without the knowledge ot the rest of the House. Now the Liberal and Labour members were being* asxed to approve of the scheme that had been prepared by this private committee. He thought it would be far 'better for the country if the Government had taken the House into its confidence. The member for Riccarton complained at some length that the scheme had been erected on a party foundation. He proceeded to suggest that the producers would have been in a better position if Armour and Company had been permitted to compete without restriction. The Prime Minister, replying to a question put by Mr. Witty, said that XT pool would deal with the carcass only. The offal would he handled by the freezing companies as at present. THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY. Mr. A. D. McLeod (Wairarapa) said the Government was anxious to secure the good will of the House in connection with a gigantic scheme. But members must realise that the responsibility rested with the Government, which would have to carry the blame for any failure. The institution of the pool was going to bo an exceedingly difficult mattei. The svstem that had been built up durin- a' period of forty years would not he altered easily. But the interests of the producers demanded the measure that was being proposed, and ai reala Hon of that fact had caused the Gov -rnment to take action. The. present, condition of the meat trade, if not imnroved would produce disaster. 1/ alternative to the pool was the <’P pa '"; of the door to the outside specuLifor and the trusts. Those interests, if given, the chance, would come here and offer the farmers, for a moment. better prices than they could obtain He believed that the pool would enable the producers to endure their difficulties without collapse. Tho member for AA airarapa quoted figures to show that under present conditions tho farmer sot 55 per cent, ot tho London price of his lamb 46 pe cent, of the price, of his mutton, nnd 24 per cent, of the value of his beefThe producers were up against these conditions. When tho shipping companies declined to make a further reduction ill freights, and when the Arbitration Court gave its award in the freezing workers’ case, the Governmen knew definitely what the farmers had to face, and if had proceeded then to prepare the scheme now before the House. WITHIN ITS RIGHTS. The Hon. A. Ngata (Eastern Maori) said he did not propose to join in the complaint that had been made by the member for Riccarton. 'lhe Government had been quite within its rights in consulting members of its own party before presenting its proposals ,to the House. He thought the scheme proposed was an excellent one. He was astounded, however, to find the representatives of the most conservative interests in the country advocating State interference with the marketing of meat. It seemed to him that a remarkable amount of pressure must have been exerted to bring tho rank and file into agreement with the proposal. Was there going to be an honest attempt to carry the scheme through, and to carry it to its logical conclusion —control right to the time a which the meat reached the cofisiimer. He doubted the genuineness of the Government’s motives, and wondered whether the Government would be “game to see it through.” The middleman would be handled with kid gloves, when an honest attempt to eliminate him should be made. The scheme was going to interfere just as little as possible with the ordinary course of trade. That was his interpretation of it. If the Commonwealth could be got to cooperate in a big scheme for control of the meat market New Zealand’s position would be stronger. This country was not big enough to move the wor.d. Mr. Massey: It is the largest exporter of mutton in the world. Mr. Ngata: Of Jamb. y[ r Massey: Mutton ( includes lamb. Mg Ngata wished to know whether each shipment would compose a separate pool, or would farmers have to wait till the ’end of a season for their returns. He concluded with the statement flint if the Government. was really in earnest and intended to carry the scheme right through, it shculd have the whole-heart-ed support of the House.

“DRIFTING TOWARDS SOCIALISM.” The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr. H. E. Holland) said that 'the present position represented the utter breakdown of private capitalism. The Stale was being asked to come to thb rescue; that was not. Socialism, but, it drifted in that direction. The Labour benches recognised the seriousness of the breakdown which had occurred in the machinery of private enterprise. It had no opposition to offer to the principle of the pool. The pool was not going to be a real solution, 'but it might be a stop-gap and might avert a serious crisis which would involve not only the primary producers but the working class of the country. New Zealand, in 'proportion to its population, was the greatest sheep-producing country. If was essentially an exporting country, and if any great crisis adversely affected its exports the whole population must suffer, and suffer greatly. If a board was set up to manage the pool, tho Labour Barty would stipulate that a representative of .the employees should be includeil in it. When tho pool was established it must not, his party demanded, raise the. price of meat to the people of New Zealand. Tho Government had shown itself ready to use the machinery of the State to save the primary producers, but it had not evinced anv willingness to take similar action to relieve unemployment. Those who supported the pool surely could not object to the use of all the machinery of tho State fo guarantee that all persons willing to work should be provided with employment. THE BIG COMBINES. Mr W D. Lysnar (Gisborne) congratulated the Government on having nt last grappled with the marketing prffbmn He believed' that it was sincere, and'was prepared to adopt the most useful suggestions made to it. _ Ihere would te opposition from vested interests; but who were tho people responsible for the low prices of meat to-day if not the I „ If the Government and tho proXra <H<l mil join whole-heartedly in the promotion of the scheme gre • combines had engineered the slump in meat had been endorsed by a conference of the Farmers’ Union. Io make its scheme safe, the Government should have its own organisation to deal «i h hc business at the other end lhe nroducers and the Government must dominate the board; the mercantile element must be kept out. lie suggested

that a fund should bo established to assist the working of the scheme. It would be wise for the Government to take a percentage of every shipment for > the building up of the fund. All tho I middlemen—including the buyers at this end— should be cut out. Ho looked to the Government to see that the business was carried through thoroughly. At present the Smithfield Importers’ Association fixed the price of New Zealand moat every week; if the Government I scheme was successful, the price would in the future be fixed by the organisation of the producers and the New Zealand Government. A member: A nation-owned trust. Mr. Lysnar: You must meet combination with combination. GLEAM OF ENCOURAGEMENT. Mr. AV. G. Glenn (Rangitikei) said that the debate ha>d given to him, as a sheepfarmer. the first gleam of encouragement he had enjoyed for many months. He thanked tho Leader of the Opposition and the member for Eastern Maori for their support to tho scheme. Tho suggestion that the members’ committee had been guilty of undue secrecy, said Mr. Glenn, had not. been justified. Air. Massey had been fully aware of all the moves in the scheme. A few members, who were interested in the troubles of the sheepfarmers, had begun the investigations, and had carried them to a certain’ point. The whole matter had been placed before the House on the very day when the first discussion with representatives of tho producers outside the House took place. Members of all parties in the House were fully aware that the disaster threatening the sheep farmers was a matter of grave concern to the whole community. Seventy-two pounds of mutton could be bought at the present time for 6s. He himself had sold fat lambs to a freezing factory for 10s. sd. each. These figures told their own story. The sheep farmers did not wish to put ffn prices against the local consumer, but they knew that they could not remain in business un]e« the export trade improve!, and that, if they went down very many bm.i--71053 concerns must go down with them. The farmers ought not to attempt to run tho pool without the assistance of the business men, said Air. Glonn. They needed the best brains that could ’be brought to bear upon their business He agreed that the present system consignment, with a ninlliplicity of marks and consignees, was involving n vast amount of waste. Tho grading of meat was an essential part of the scheme. He had long favoured the gradin’ of meat. Admittedly there wore difficulties owing to variations of climate, different breeds, and so forth But grading could lie made effective, and 'this could bo done without reouirin? that anv nnrtlci’.’ar eompanv should lo»o its distinctive marks and brands. Ho helic'-od that in the long run yradiny would rai«e the stnndand of onaliH- and production, because the b'fl farmer and the careless farmer would not be able to get the top prices.

MUCH DETAIL WORK REQUIRED. Air R W. Smith (Wainianno) unproved of the nool. The scheme, ho said, had not taken definite form, and an enormous amount of work would be required for the effective adjustment of nil the details. Tic believed the pool would bo reonired to continue for manv years before all its benefit-, were secured The. farmers wore not easily induced, -to work together, but he thought that tlmv hod learned some of th- lessons of the commandeer period. They had complained during the war years that thov were being robbed, but they would be very glad tn-day to be robbed again in same way. The T>r ; nm Afinistor: Honr, bear. Air. Smith suggested that Hie members of the Reform Committee were scarcely entitled to regard themselves ns the' authors of tho pooling scheme. The defects of the existing system and tho possible remedies had been under discussion for many months. Several pitfalls would require now to be avoided by the Government. Tho vested interests that were not to he. affected were enormous. and the scheme would have to be placed in the hands of thoroughly capable, business men. Departmental control would not be satisfactory on an occasion of this kind. Mr. Smith urged tho Government to stand firm. Alany strings would be pulled against it. . Air. Alassey: They are being pulled 11 Mr Smith advised the Government not to take too much notice of the people who claimed to represent the farmers. Some of these people represented only very .small sections of the farmcis. VESTED INTERESTS. Air. Clutha Alackcnzie (Auckland East) said it was very gratifying to find that the Government had taken bold action. He believed that with the organisation of the Imperial Supplies Department as e basis the Government would be able without very great difficulty to overcome the difficulties in this countiy Caie should be taken not to penalise^ the companies that 'had made names for themselves in Britain. The scheme, it should be remembered, had 4o be carried outside ■New Zealand. The imperial Government had controlled all the meat arriving in Britain during the war P P ]’ IO< U a ?‘ l 1 had made rather a mess of the business. New Zealand would control only its own meat, and it had to face increasingly severe competition, even m lamb, from South America. The vested interests in the meat trade in Britain were enormously strong, and he believed that it would bo a grave mistake for New Zealand to quarrel with these interests. Very many of the retail shops and much of the cold storage in Britain were controlled by the vested interests, and things could he made very unpleasant for New Zealand if the pool got on bad terms with the experienced men in the trade. He believed that it would be very hazardous policy to hold up meat in New Zealand. Let the Dominion beware ot over-estimating its own importance and strength and under-estimating tho influence *of the men at present controlling tho meat trade in Britain. The producers of the Dominion should not allow ’prentice hands to deal with New Zealand meat in Britain. ORGANISATION ESSENTIAL. Mr. E. Newman (Alanawatu) congratulated the member for Auckland East on his contribution to the debate. The pool undoubtedly required careful handling. But the producers could not overlook the need for change in the present system. They were selling lamb to the factories at present at from 3d. to 4hl. per pound, while the consumers in Britain were paying from Is. 6d. to 2s. per pound. Tho farmers must organise for self-pro-tection, and ho would predict that-the strongest opponents of the pool would be found among the representatives of tho trusts. Tho greatest enemy of tho producers in the London market in past years had been tho weak holders, who depressed the market in- their anxiety to sell. New Zealand was in a position now to hold nearly u year s output of meat in the cold. 'Stores, but fanners must not' forget, the lesson of the war in this respect. Ale;.t could not be held long in the stores without deterioration’. He'’believed that New Zealand fanners had a fairly secure position as far as lamb wus concerned. The market wanted the lamb, and other countries could not supply it. The Imperial Supplies Department: had been particularly well managed during the war, and the farmers were fortunate in having such a basis for their pool. “I do not believe that our pool will raise prices in Great Britain." said Air. G. Mitchell (Wellington South). “But if we can check waste and reduce charges, ami so put into Die pockets of the producers more of the money paid by tho c insuniers. we shall have achieved a groat deal.” Ho agreed that primary production was the basis of New Zealand’s wealth, and that the Dominion should aim ot increasing production so as to make up for decreaseil prices. The

pool scheme had merely been sketched so far, and he did not believe that the scheme could be put into final form in a few days, 'f'ho pool would liavo t.o fight a trust that controlled more money than the New Zealand Government controlled, and tho producers would lie courting trouble if they tried to rush tho scheme throug'h without due consideration. He thought the scheme should include provision for "boosting” New Zealand produce in Britain, and that the Dominion should seek some sort of preferential treatment from the British Government. GENESIS OF THE SCHEME AIR. MASSEY EXPLAINS. The Prime Afinister, speaking before the supper adjournment, said he would take members into his confidence as to the genesis of the scheme. The matter had not been made a party one in any sense of the word. He explained that members of his own party had been in the habit of meeting about once a fortnight, and he, as their leader, made a point of taking them into his confidence as far as he could. He might add without boasting that he possessed the confidence of the party to which he belonged in a greater degree to-day than ever before in any previous session. At one of these meetings a fortnight or so ago, they were discussing the petition that had been signed by many Canterbury farmers asking that Aimour and Company should be allowed to obtain a meat export license. During the discussion the opinion was expressed that it was a pity they could not get back to something like what was in existence during the commandeer period. Following that, some members asked him whether, in the event of their drawing up a report and making suggestions to \get over the present difficulty on the lines of the commandeer, 'he would consider it. He said he would, and asked them to get to work at once. Last Friday they sent him a. particularly interesting repo.it, and it was that report which he had used in giving the preliminary details of the Government’s proposals. There was no intention to use the proposal as a party matter. He, however, knew perfectly well the tremendous responsibility that there was in regard to these proposals, but they were going to see them throug’h with the assistance of the House. (Hear, hear.) He as Leader of the House accepted the responsibility that attached to them. The Prime Alinister then read details of the proposed scheme as far as arranged. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS. There had been several questions alxiut advances, proceeded the Prime Alinister. He did not anticipate any serious difficulty in arranging for finance. He would be misleading the House if. he said that arrangements had been definitely made. He could say, however, that negotiations had commenced, and on both sides there was the opinion that what was proposed would mean a very big thing, not only to the people of the country, but in finance. The time might come when it wpuld be necessary to make use of the very large amount of storage capacity in this country, and to keep back a. part of the meat offered for export. He had no doubt that the time would come when it would be necessary to supply the British market only with what it required, and retain the remainder. That would bo the time when strong finance would be required, for the people concerned would not be able to afford to wait, and very large sums of money would have to be provided. As he had said, negotiations had commenced, and he was encouraged to believe that it would be possible to arrange for all that would be required without any serious difficulty. He must leave the matter there for the present, as he did not think it would lie right to say any more. THE PRIVATE COMPANIES. The question had been asked what was to become of the different firms of stock and station agents acting at the jiresent time. So far as he coulil see, the scheme would tend to help them. These firms had other business besides the handling of frozen mea-. They dealt in other articles of produce of which wool was the chief. They also supplied the farmers with many of the articles which they required. There would still be plenty of business left for them even if this arrangement took a little away, and he was not certain that it would. So far as the Government was concerned it would lie very glad to have their assistance. for it was known that in these firms there were some of the best men in this line of business in the country. The next question was how it would affect the proprietary concerns, the freezing works. Ho thought that they would be benefited. They would have to come in if the pool was made compulsory, and he did not. think it could be operated successfully unless it was made compulsory. (Hear, hear!) He thought that everyone would have to come into the pool if it was set up. The legitimate business of the freezing' companies was to slaughter and freeze stock for the producers, and not to become speculators in frozen meat. A certain amount of that had’ been done he knew. AVhen this scheme camo into operation .he did not think there would bo much of that sort of thing done. He did' not think this would interfere with the man who dealt in live stock. The pool would have nothing to do with freezing or anything connected with stock, until the animal walked into tho abattoir. Then it would be the business of the pool to deal with them, no matter to whom they belonged. They would all bo dealt with in the same way. No producer would have any advantage over any other man. The Prime Afinister put before the House some figures showing where New Zealand stood by comparison with other countries in the export of meat to Britain. The number of carcasses of mutton and lamb imported by "Britain from the year 1882 to tho year 1920. was 257,000,000. Of this number New Zealand had supplied 124,213,000 carcasses, or nearly half, while Australia supplied only 54,000,000 and South America 78,678,000. In 1920 the figures for all classes of meat imported into Britain were as follow:—Argentine, 364,808 tons; New Zealand, 197,305 tons; Australia, 154,743 tons; Uruguay, 41.774 tons; United States, 11,233 tons; other countries, 40,415 tons. The proportions shown in these figures had been maintained for four years in succession. He had no doubt that this country could greatly increase its export of froaten meat and dairy produce. Britain was New Zealand’_s best market, and New Zealand should endeavour to retain that market by sending only the best quality of produce Homo. He believed that the pool could be made a success. The best brains in this country, and perhaps even in Britain, should be called in to assist. Would there be a loss? It was impossible to say, but he believed that with careful handling, all loss could be avoided. If there was a loss, it would simply have to be borne. The administration costs on the enormous quantities of meat handled by the Imperial Supplies Department were only 41 per hundred pounds weight—a mere trifle. The case was not altogether a. parallel one, but he believed that the pool could be norki-d at an expense much less than most members probably imagined. "Whatever happens,” Mr. Massey concluded, “we have put our hands to the plough and there must be no turning back. I have been very glad to notice that the criticism advanced in the House has not been by any means adverse criticism. On the whole, it has been favourable.” Mr. A. S. Malcolm (Clutha) said that some persons seemed to be spoiling for a fight with the distributors al Home. He commended the Government scheme for not appearing to invite any light of the kind. Dr. A. K. Newman said that he had desired for some time to see a meat pool established. He did not think there would be any difficulty in financing the

scheme. The will fo win was what, pulled people out of trouble, and this new scheme was a "will to victory.” The Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W. Nosworthy) said that every farthing per lb. that could be saved in freight charges, etc., meant a. saving of £400,0(M) per annum for the producers of meat alone. This gave an indication of what might be gained from the application of good business methods to the marketing of meat. He thanked the House for its general support of the scheme. THE POOLING SCHEME A BOARD OF CONTROL PROPOSED THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS The Prime Minister, as stated above, read details of Uie proposed scheme as far as arranged, and said that ho had received for the first time that day the details of the scheme pfepared by the committee of members of tho House. The scheme is as follows: A board of control to be established in New Zealand, consisting of representatives of the various interests involved: (a) To direct and control all exports, sales, and shipment, of New Zealand frozen meat of the 192122 season output, and for such period thereafter as shall be determined. (b) To take control of all meat derived from stock slaughtered for export as soon as it is placed in the freezing chambers in good and merchantable order and condition, and graded as required by the board, which may from time to time, as it considers desirable, decide as to any class or classes of such meat which it will not accept- as suitable for export. (c) The board from time to time to assess the net. value of the meat delivered into store at. the works, the Government, through the board, to advance to the owner a percentage to be agreed upon of such net value with recourse against the person to whom such advance is made, and in addition to advance such sums as will cover charges for slaughtering, freezing, bagging, railage, putting f.o.b. freight, insurance, exchange, and all overseas storage and selling charges, taking as secnri'.y store warrants, bills of lading, or other documents or title. (d) All by-products to remain the uncontrolled property of the owner of the stock slaughtered for export, who may make such arrangements as he thinks fit with freezing companies or others in regard to same. (el The board to make-sales of meat f.o.b. or c.i.f., or io consign meat for sale overseas at its discretion according to what it considers to be in the best, interests of the producers. (f) To negotiate freight contracts and freight arrangements for the overseas carriage of frozen meat, no contract to be entered into until approved by tho Government. (g) For the purpose of handling the board’s business in the United Kingdom, an associated board, with a manager, shall be appointed in London, the London board: to be in all matters directly responsible to the board in New Zealand, with the provisions that all its accounts will be subjecto audit bv an auditor or auditors appointed by the New Zealand Government through the \ High Commissioner. (h) Actual cost of management and administration, including salaries of members of both boards, to be paid out of tho business. (i) All meat placed in each class in the schedule shall be pooled in such parcels as the board, may determine from time to time, and the net proceeds of the sale of each parcel shall be divided pro rata among the owners whose meat is included in such paice 1 (j) Freezing companies to 7ir:*e a consolidated ' charge to be agreed upon t 6 cover all working costs up to placing meat f.0.b.. ocean steamer, and handing over to the Iward bills of lading and other necessary documents, such, consolidated charge io become pavable at time of shipment. (k) All accounts of the board to he subject to inspection and audit of the New Zealand Controller and Auditor-General. HOUSE COMMITTEE MEETS ALSO FREEZING 'ND AIEAT COMPANIES. The committee of members of the House of Representatives met the executive of the Producers’. Committee in Wellington yesterday, and discussed the proposed meat pool. The members also met representatives of the freezing companies and meat companies. Subsequently the committee handed to the Prime'Alinister the detailed scheme which was placed before the House of Representatives in iho evening. The executive of the Producers’ Committee has decided, as a result of yesterday’s meeting, that a full conference of representatives of the producers shall be held in AVellington early in January to consider the pooling scheme. In the meantime no decisive action will be taken. WELLINGTON CITY LOAN The Wellington City Empowering Bill was yesterday passed by the Legislative Council. Sir Francis Bell explained that the Bill was merely to enable the Wellington City Corporation to cancel debentures already executed, in order that it might issue them at 6 per cent, instead of 61 per cent. The Government had taken charge of tho pleasure ns an indication Hint it was satisfied tho usual formalities in connection with local Bills might bo dispensed with in this case.