Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9th 1920 THE MEAT MARKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9th 1920 THE MEAT MARKET.

The end of the meat commandeer by' the Imperial Government is likely to have a notable effect in 'this outpost of Ahe Empire. During the war the Imperial authorities took all frozen meat at a stipulated price which was not unprofitable to 'the producer. At times there was a congestion in the storage of tile meat owing to the delay's in shipping. New Zealand being at the antipodes, is a long way' from the Home centre, and when the submarine menace at its height, colonial shipping became scarcer and scarcer. The transport of American troops and supplies added to the stringency, while the dearth of food and commodities at Home caused supplies to be drawn from' countries nearer at hand, thus saving time in .transport, and per. mitting the available shipping to be utilised to greater " advantage. Now the commandeer is to end at the 30th June next, by which time it is expected there will be considerable congestion in storage capacity' of the freezing works. There is also the question of opening up a market for the sale of the locally produced meat ajfter June, and most important of all, the provision of means to carryon export with ’ sustained success. The growers fare naturally anxious about the future, fearing as they do a glut in the Homo market, and the need for turning elsewhere for a ready disposal of the Dominion product. The matter is of great importance to the country', as a whole, as the frozen meat industry is one of the chief factors in assuring the financial position of New Zealand. The export results in a great inflow of wealth which is a staple factor in maintaining the even running of trade transactions. To help solve the situation it is not unlikely that a commission drawn from the meat producers will be sent to Europe to investigate conditions' and possibilities with a view to putting the* export business on a. firm basis as soon as the British commandeer expires next June. The enquiry might lead to important developments. It is conceivable that the farmers will desire to establish their own fleet of insulated vessels so as to ensure a. regular line of fomnninication, and going that far, they will seek also to •establish • tan improved means of distribution both at Home, and on the Continent. New Zealand has formin.ble rivals in the meat trade from countries much nearer the world’s markets, and the trading question re, quires to be dealt with in a special way. The set of circumstances now arising affords the opportunity of reviewing the position thoroughly', and of seeing that the Homo trade is placed on the most secure basis. In conjunction with meat, there is also the wool and other primary exports of great value to lie considered. 'The monetary value of those lines fully justifies the enterprise suggested of a shipping line secure to the New Zealand trade and free from the great combine threatening to control overseas trading. Hie farmers seem alert to the position and as practical men they may be expected to deal with the problem in a practical business wav.