WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1927, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS

.meat hoard and meat works

(Special to “ Guardian

WELLINGTON, Nov. b

The attitude of the -Meat Hoard in respect to the sale of freezing works in New Zealand was recently severely criticised hv Mr Begg, of Dunedin, at i meeting of the South Otago freezing . Company, and the Chairman of the Hoard, Mr I>. Jones, has ventured a reply. He points out that the Act gave the Hoard exceedingly wide powers that were severely criticised at the time, hut are, he believed, admitted by the great hulk of the people in 1 1 io Dominion to-day as being wise and necessary. The soothing syrup applie to the Hoard by its Chairman will not prove soothing to those who tire affected by the exceedingly wide powers conferred on the Hoard. The ( hairman would no doubt like to think that everyone is pleased with the Meat Hoard for that would assure its continuity and enhance the vested interests that are now accumulating in the existence ol the Hoard. Among the "exceedingly wide powers” conferred on the Hoard was the power to confiscate the rights of owners Lo dispose of their property as they think lit. The Wellington Meat Export Company discovered this and it is understood that the Waiagawa works in the Mairarapa, which have fallen into the hands of the Hank of New Zealand, could have been sold to a British firm at C 130,000, but the sale was blocked by the Meat Hoard. It is this power to interfere with tbe rights of property that is resented and criticised and condemned. because it is Holshevik in iC scope and application. In support ol the vicious attitude adopted by the Meat Hoard, Mr Jones says that the* Hoard realised tit the time (slump period) that in the condition of many of the freezing works there "its a serious danger of overseas interests purchasing the various key winks and obtaining what might become a strangle hold on the frozen meat industry ol the Dominion. The Chairman lias Related and reiterated this fallacy so many times that he Inis learned to believe it. What are the key works and what not? Apparently the Hoard is prepared to modify its policy I°*' Mr Junes states that if there is an oiler for the South Otago Freezing Works, and the application was made for a transfer, the Hoard would recommend that the application he granted on the ground that sudi a sale would not be viewed as one materially affecting the position or as coming m conflict with the Hoard’s policy. It is obvious from Ibis that a little business sanity is beginning to animate the Hoard. It may he asked why a sale ol the South Otago Meat Works to overseas capital would he sanctioned and why a sale <v the "Waiagawa Moat \\ inks to I’ortliv.icks was not sanctioned. The Chairman of the Meat Hoard says it is generally recognised as a very wise policy to keep our frozen meat works from falling into outside hands, and to maintain an outdoor policy and Ireedom ol trailing. This policy is so wrapped up in wisdom that it almost amounts to silliness. Horthwiek. Vestev. Armour, ami Swift, and many other operators

are free to buy fat stock for freezin

and export. These operators are buying on a large scale, and their competition is so keen that many ol the farmers’ freezing companies that rely entirely upon freezing for owners have been practically crippled. Producers are linding it more advantageous t ■ sell on the hoof rather tnan tree:;.' and export on their own account. Ihc operations ol these overseas exportees have been large enough and their competition so keen that the strongest o' the privately-owned or company-owned works have felt the pinch. Horthwiek and Vestev have their own multiple shops in the Fnited Kingdom to provide for and they can pretty accurately estimate the probable demand lor months in advance, lor they have the experience id years to guide them.

Those shops must be supplied at all costs, and therefore tbe purchases o! New Zealand sheep and lamb is on a large scale. Most of the freezing works are glad to Iroeze lor these big i perators at a small rate because ol the volume of the business. All tiles:.' overseas operators already own works in New Zealand where no doubt the bulk of the stock they purclin.se is treated. These operators have already got a strangle bold on the meat industry. and the claim of the Chairman iti Hie Meat Hoard that the policy of the Hoard is to maintain an open door and free trailing is eye-wash. It only requires another season or two and the farmers’ freezing works will pass out. Several have already passed out, and it is probable that one or two more will net resume operations this season. Apart from the stupidity of preventing Hritish capital from developing the industry the Hoard is doing good work in ariangiiu' freight, insurance. elc.