THE MEAT POOL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4381, 22 February 1922, Page 2

THE MEAT POOL

MR. POLSON \iND THE RISE IN MUTTON AND LAMB. The suggestion that the recent increases in the prices being paid for lamb and mutton were caused by the proposed establishment pf a national meat pool is not supported by Mr W. J. Polson, Dominion president of the Farmers’ Union, who stated at Gisborne that it was inconceivable) that such action, in a small, country like New Zealand, which only produced 7 or 8 per cent, of! the meat iinported into England, should affect the price of meat all over, the world. He pointed out that proportionately advanced prices were being paid in Argentine, America, Australia* and other countries. and could not see why anything which wag done in, New Zealand should affect prices in those countries. Ultimately, said Mr the pool would ensure better pri.ces for New Zealand produce, as it would mean a uniformity of grading, more regular shipments, and consequently a generally better quality. As a result of this New Zealand meat would become more popular with the English public, and there would be a better demand for it, and a better demantj meant better prices. The talk of the pool, he considered, had already shown the buyers at Home that the Government was endeavouring to es-, tablish a higher standard, and: the firms which handled our meat at Home would be prepared) to enter into more extensive negotiations.