THE MEAT COMMANDEER.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1920, Page 4

THE MEAT COMMANDEER.

CHARGE AGAINST IMPERIAL

AUTHORITIES. WANGANUI, Feb. 4. A correspondent, who has just returned from England, writes to the "Hearld,* ’ saying that the Imperial Government has'been dumping Argentine and Brazilian meat into England over since tho armistice, and points out that the glut is timed exactly with the removal of the commandeer. We are to be panicked into letting Britain resume. the commandeer, which is one of the biggest bluffs ever worked on our loyalty and forbearance. The writer says that the meat with which England has been flooded is almost uneatable, while ours is of high finality. He declares that there never has been a shortage of shipping to justify tho treatment. meted out. England has bad ample shipping to holster up her interests in the Argentine and also to open up fresh channels in Europe, and has also shipping lying idle in her docks. Tho contributor further declares that England has been the biggest meat trust of the war, and gave American firms preference over us.

PRBME MINISTER’S COMMENT. WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. Commenting on the Wanganui Press Association message about the meat commander, Mr Massoy said that from his own knowledge ho could say that tho statement that the Imperial Government was still bringing Argentine and Brazilian moat into England was contrary to fact. “This man says,” Mr M assev continued, “that wo are to ho panicked into acceptance of tlio commandeer for a further term. The answer to that statement is that the British Government has of its own volition given notice that tho commandeer is to ho stopped from June 30tli. As for tho statement that England has given American firms preference, that is contrarjy to fact, and I can say that of my own knowledge. .Tt was quite truo that meat was bought from the United States at the time that tho American troops were coming over, and this meat was bought at a very much higher price that that paid to Now Zealand producers, but otherwise nothing of tho sort here suggested has occurred. Mon were at that time noeded above all other requirements, nudtlio ships which brought men from America were used to carry meat also.”