PREMIER’S MEAT SUPPLY SCHEME.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 918, 17 June 1903, Page 4

PREMIER’S MEAT SUPPLY SCHEME.

OPINIONS OK AUCKLANDERS

'l'lic proposal of the Premier that 11 U . colony should deal with the question of placing the distribution and sale of New Zealand meat in . Engiand on a more satisfactory basis byopening shops in the manufaclui ing centres, has naturally created a great deal of interest. So far only a pare outline of the scheme has been

announced by Air Seddon, hut a general desire to Know something of the details of the proposal is being manifested, and the subject may he expected to provide a very interesting debate when it conies beiore Parliament during the coming session.. A reporter waited upon a number of Auckland men to obtain their views. Some of them were diilideut about speaking until fuller information as to details was available, hut generally the .scheme was regarded as a hold and plucky one that deserved to succeed, in one instance (states the Auckland Herald) the proposal was tegarded unfavorably, it. being considered preferable to subsidise exporters for a period, but in the case of two other gentlemen who were seen, the idea put forward by i\lr Seddon was approved. Mr A. Bevans, manager ot the Auckland Freezing Company, said : “As an advertisement for N e w Zealand mutton, I think it may do a great deal of good, if carried out in a wise manner. Ido not think the Government should take the matter up as a permanency, and I am glad to sec that Mr Seddon lias staled that the step is intended only as a temporary measure for the purpose of advertising our meat, and getting it, Ur inly established on the market As for our company, I do not think that tile opening of Government, shops as proposed will detrimentally affect us in any way. The Government will no doubt buy our meat,

mill give ns fair prices for if. Anything which lends: In t he. increase of onr business i am inclined to wcl-

come. Keeling might he caused at J lome amongst the butchers, who would, perhaps, boycott us, but that would not matter, as if the public wanted the New Zealand nail ton they would always take it. I look upon the scheme as one which may lie expected to lead to good results, hut I should object to the Government interfering in any way at Ibis end with the production or freezing of the meat.” “ The Premier has spoken of the Diction that has arisen through the dealers selling Argentine meat as (lie New Zealand product. I suppose you would regard that as a

good reason for taking action ?” Yes ; we have heard of a good

deal of this being done. You can buy Argentine mutton for less than you pay for New Zealand mutton, and the the imposition practised is distinctly unfair to the product of this colony.” The Premier’s scheme was viewed in an unfavorable light by the managers of Messrs R. and W. licllaby, Limited, who were next waited upon. They stated : “ There is certainly a great opening for getting New Zealand mutton properly known as such at Home, especially in Hie northern parts of England, and particularly in those populous manufacturing dis--1 riots of which Manchester is the centre. As ~ distributing centre, Manchester far out-rivals London, owing to tile number and vast,ness of the manufacturing towns served liy I lie former town. The Premier’s

idea of starting retail shops, however. is hardly the best filing to lie done. ff the Government do this, they will lie opposing the retail butchers, who would lie expected to

carry on the traije after it was opened up in the respective districts and the Government shops had been closed' down and shifted elsewhere. It, is not wise in a departure of this kind to start; by making enemies of those whom you expect to follow you afterwards. If you commence by fighting them, they would do their best, to get, even with you, and to please their customers without pleasing you. It seems that a hotter

plan would lie for the Government to enter into an agreement witli exporters to guarantee them against loss for a fixed period, during which time they should push the sale of New Zealand mutton in the districts mentioned. Exporters and dealers in the New Zealand article would then have an advantage over local competitors, which would probably soon disarm tbe opposition of tho latter If such an arrangement were entered into, it would do a great deal to popularise New Zealand mutton, and tiie Argentine article would not stand the slightest show. No man, after once selling New Zealand mutton, would sell any other brand.”

In regard to Lie sale of Argentin mutton, as New Zealand mutton, i

was stall’d Ihal lliis was very mmMon. If anybody asked for New Zealand mutton in certain (list riels, be was given Argentine wiflumt c;iiestion. Nobody asked for Argentine million, and if any 'article, apart, from Knglisli, was sought, after it, was New Zealand or Australian. Mr It. Salmon, head of I lie linn of Messrs Salmon and Go., said : “ i lliiuk (lie scheme is quite feasible, in spile of the rings ihal we hear so much about. 1 have, known rings

in other parts of the world which have been successfully combatted by one man. and if one man can do this the Government, should he sufell- equal to the task. The opening of shops as suggested would he about the best means of popularising our mutton that could be devised, and I am surprised that, the idea has not, been put, into c fleet before this. it the New Zealand (tovernnient does rot do soniething of the kind the Argentine Government will do it. and if- therefore behoves us not to allow them to forestall us. Of course, the Government must he prepared to stand by their scheme for .sometime

and it will also be necessary to have a thoroughly practical man al the head of tlie concern. A great deal depends on this man in charge, i.ut if he is an experienced man. and the scheme is carried out on sound business lines, there should be no fear of failure. At the present time, a great deal of Argentine mutton is being sold as the New Zealand article. but if once the people are introduced to tiie genuine article they will stick to it. as the quality is bound to toll. I certainly think very favorably oi the scheme."