DUE MEAT POOL

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1922, Page 4

DUE MEAT POOL

LORD' ASK W ITH’S WARNING. \

LONDON, January 18,

Protestations continue to bo strong against the New. Zealand, meat pool proposal, and among those Mho have voiced their opinions on the scheme is Lord Askwith, who* warns Mr Massey of the ijtroug feeling and the probable prejudicial view of N e w Zealand meat that are. sure to be aroused among tho consumers in this country if- the scheme is established. “If. Mr Massey’s proposals are intended a more than- a ballon dlassai,” said Lord Askwith, “it would, be well for him to remember the strong feelings aroused in this country by. the Government control of meat during and following the war. To the consumer' the remembrance is like an ugly nightmare. The meat that was wasted, the bacon that was deeply impregnated with boric acid, tile proceedings of the retailers when they told- the consumer to take or leave the supply given by the Government, and l tho absolute distaste of consumers generally with Government control, should be important i factors warning the New Zealand Parliament against putting into existence proposals which are sure to arouse the strongest feelings among the consumers of> Great Britain.

“The permanent adoption of Mr Massey’s proposals would be playing into the hands of trusts in other countries to the detriment of Now Zealand and the supply of meat from our own Dominions.” The council of tli e British Incorporated Society of Meat Importers have also registered their disapproval of the pool and passed the following resolution:—

“The council of the British Incorporated Society of Merit importers is of opinion that any scheme of meat pooling in New Zealand which is compulsory and which involves the participation of Government nominees will cripple private enterprise and initiative, and will give the most serious blow to the meat trade of New Zealand that it has suffered since its inception, as it will materially encourage the development of business from other sources which enjoy freedom of trade.” And at a mass meeting of tenants of Snntlifield’ Market, interested, in the Colonial meat trade, a resolution was carried] protesting aginst the proposal on the grounds that “all forms of Government control are wasteful, and against the best interests of- the producer and consumer.”