An Auckland Meeting.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1922, Page 3

An Auckland Meeting.

PRINCIPLE UNANIMOU SLY APPROVED. . AUCKLAND, Jan. 4. The principle of a compulsory meat pool was unanimously approved by a meeting of representative prod, u cm s, held to-day in the board room of the Farmers’ Union. -Mr R. D. Dmisfield, president of the Auckland branch of the Farmers’ Union, presided. -Mr L ( . F.'Hockly (.Rotorua) and -Mr R. I l ’. Pollard (Raglan) were present. Mr Hockly said the proposal was quite the most important ever made in the producers’ interests. The meat, trade of the Dominion was m a parlous condition, and could scarcely lie worse, so that the producers must support any move to improve matters. It should be clearly understood that the scheme was to be managed entirely bv the producers, in whose hands would lie success or failure. The Government would advise and assist with finance, if necessary, but the produceis themselves would organise the export trade. •Mr Hockly said the objection made that the pool would interfere with the local market was erroneous, ns only export meat would be pooled, and there would be no obstruction for producers wishing to sell meat to butchers or u Westfield. By dealing in large parcels, the producers could obtain cheaper freights and insurances, am: reduce those heavy charges which mm made it impossible ior producers t< work at a profit. The scheme wouli meet with opposition from vested m terests, the mere fact of their opposi tion showing that ii was not in interests, but to the benefit ot In farmers. He com mended the scbeim to all producers. • Mr Bollard said the question wa whether New Zealand producers wen ,r o i„,r to handle their own produce, o let a" trust do it. lie said that Ar mour’s were moving Heaven nnd eartl to secure the primary products of Net Zealand, and by a pool scheme the pvu ducers could defeat the trust. _ Air A. A. Ross, ex-president oi Hi Farmers’ Union, said that whether th farmers liked it or not, there word l,p unified control, hut the questio they had to decide was whether i should he in their hands or under th control of a meat trust. The u.ea « a compulsory pool by legislation wi an excellent one, and deserved evei support. Mr F. Col beck. Dominion vice-pres dent and a member of the exeeutiv ( ,f the union, warned producers abm the operations of the trust tilth the new scheme farmers would g< more for their meat than the tru would pay. He advocated eo-opeia ing with Queensland, South Africa, other beef-producing countries to su ply beef to enable British butchers obtain all their orders without patro ising the vested interests. Other members spoke m suppoi One stated that although 800 sign tures had been secured in the Sou Island h- a trust, many of Inc famm had now given their support to t. St The meeting approved the prhu'l of the pool proposals, and appointed the unim delegates to the coining cc ference Mr Ross and Mr C. C. Mum a member of the executive The president of the Land Assoc tion stated that ha would ?aTI I executive together to also appoint de gates. -