MEAT POOL.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1922, Page 4

MEAT POOL.

NO BACKI m DOWN. j [by TELEGRAPH —I'Ell PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, January 16. “There are persistent statements in circulation to the effect that the proposed meat pool will not bo proceeded with, that the committee and the Government are looking for an excuse to abandon the whole project.” remarked Mr Lysnar in the course of a question to the Prime Minister. He went on to ask that Mr Massey should give a definite intimation whether or not the Government intended to hack down in the matter, and if not would it give in- , formation on the following points: Will the Government before this ses- I sioa doses bring down and pass the . necessary legislation to carry out the j resolution of the fanners” conference ' for a compulsory pool of all meat for j export? When can producers who de- ! sire to take advantage of the scheme j at the earliest opportunity obtain ad- j vaipoes against their meat? “There j are,” ho said, “many farmers in the j Dominion unable to finance on their I meat at the present time, who arc in £ very serious financial position, are depending on the Government pushing this scheme through so as to give them relief and in some cases saving them from . facing bankruptcy.” . As indicating the. extent to which statements have been circulated, Mr Lysnar said that a leading meat firm cabled out from England at the end of last week to know if it was true that the meat pool proposal had been abandoned. Such statements arc absolutely incorrect,” replied Mr Massey, who suggested that they must have emanated from someone to whom the wish was father to the thought. Judging by what had takon place during the last fortnight since the meat pool had been talked about, the increase in the price of meat, the decrease in storage charges in London, and the decrease in freights, he would say that the proposed pool was already making itself felt. A committee of fourteen producers with six Parliamentarians who ihad interested themselves in the matter, would sit on Tuesday. He could assure the House that the necessary legislation would he brought down this session, and he hoped to pass it into law. There need ibe no mistake about it-, and as soon as ho saw the position the necessary finance would be taken in hand this