THE MEAT POOL.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1922, Page 4

THE MEAT POOL.

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER

WELLINGTON, Jan. 4

The following important statement on the meat question was made to-day by the Minister of' Agriculture (the }lon/\V. Nosworthy) Comimi.nicaions have reached me from farmers in various districts which indicate that a risk exists of misapprehensions arising as the result of the over-zeal oils efforts of those associated with the interests which have thought fit to oppose the meat pool proposals. It is necessary once more to make clear to producers that these proposals are made wholly and solely in their interests; that, as pointed out by the Prime Minister, the pool will be a producers’ pool, controlled by them, and managed on their behalf by the best business I men obtainable.

There was never a. time in the history of the Dominion when so great a necessity existed for all producers to come together and act with one mind, with the one object Of safeguarding their own interests, against the encroachments of trusts, whose aim is to secure the control, directly or indirectly, of meat which is produced through the labour and enterprise) of our farmers. The pool proposals, providing as they do one central produce-controlling body and one seller only of New Zealand meat, would afford a greater measure of protection than anything else. It is particularly, noticeable that the only criticism which so far has come to light is of a destructive nature, and that no one has been able to put forward any suggestions for improvement, or for any alternative scheme which will I afford that protection to producers’ intcrests which the present-day position ; demands. Petitions are being circulated for signature by farmers, asking for the right to sell their stock how and when they please. The question oft the sale of stock on the hoof by farmers has been and is being fully considered. Pending elaboration of ah working details, farmers would be well advised not to sign, these petitions, seeing that they may he described as attempts at f! 01k attacks upon the stronghold of producers’ interests which the pool is intended to establish.

The Government is desirous of having tlie whole question fully and frankly discussed with full consideration for i-very aspect of it. But the one definite principle of safeguarding the producers of the Dominion against the a’&rression of powerful outside organisations must never be lost sight of or allowed! to be clouded by side issues. There should he no misapprehension of the position. The producers must rither come together for their own protection or place themselves, so far as the export meat trade is concerned, at the mercy of outside trusts. The matter is in their hands. 'With a united body of producers behind it. the Government will be in a position to act strongly and decisively.