THE RURAL WORLD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 376, 8 July 1911, Page 2

THE RURAL WORLD.

ARGENTINE'S MEAT INDUSTRY. RUMOURED TRUST OPERATIONS. Much alarm is again being evinced amongst a certain class of people here says the Argentine correspondent of the "Christchurch Press," by a threatened Meat Trust being formed by some influential capitalists of the United States. This alarm was heightened by the fall in the prices of steers, cows, calves, and sheep during part of this month. These reductions in prices were such as compared with the two previous months that it was believed that a monopoly scheme was on foot. However, it is certain that the drought prevailing over many parts of the country had compelled many stock-raisers to reduce the i umber of their cattle for want of pasture, and send more than usual to be sold for freezing. Those cattle owners who could not afford grazing rent and transport for their cattle elsewhere, for some time have been killing animals for their hides alone. In this respect it is said that in one district no less than 3000 were killed. During the last ten months of 1910 the ten freezing establishments here exported 2,770,636 carcases of frozen mutton, 1,242,737 quarters of frozen beef, and 1,281,118 quarters of chilled beef. Undoubtedly the two freezing works that are in the power of the North American capitalists do exercise a very decided influence on the meat trade of this country abroad. Both their La Blanca and La Plata Cold Storage Company work ,on a large scale, and their establishments have a capacity for production much greater than any of the others. Thus the North American influence in the meat trade in this country is a most important factor to be reckoned with, and is calling forth the attention of stock-raisers and the commercial public in general. Since the freezing establishment, La Blanca (founded by Argentine capitalists), came into the hands of the North Americans, about three years ago, they have done everything in their power to get the Controlling influence over all the other establishments in this Republic. To the purchase of La Blanca there was added that of La Plata Cold Storage Company, the shareholders of which mostly reside in England. Finding it impossible so far to obtain their ends by purchasing the other establishments, the North Americans have enlarged the two establishments and introduced great improvements, enabling them to double the annual production; but with all this they are still far from having the supremacy in the meat market. It has been asked, "Why do the Americans not build new freezing works in this country?" Certainly they might do thia with their immense capital; but that would not suit their ends. Their sole object is to have a monopoly of the meat trade here; but this they cannot do until they have all the establishments under one control. Many shareholders in the other companies believe that finally, sooner or later, all the Argentine companies will fall into the hands of the capitalists' of the United States. The latter offer record prices for the shares, and it is thought by many to be ridiculous to pretend that the shareholders—who are mostly foreigners and nearly all merchantswill miss this favourable opportunity of profitably transferring their titles. One of the greatest misfortunes in the formation of a Trust will fail upon the stock-raiser, who will be at the mercy of the monopoly, and will have to take for his cattle just what the Trust may choose to offer. In connection with this proposed Yankee Trust, it is announced that the Minister of Agriculture is preparing to issue a decree which will have an immense bearing on this question both in the Argentine and abroad.

"THE LONG PADDOCK." In many of the back country settlements it is not unusual for drivers and dealers to use the roadsides as temporary holding paddocks when there is a scarcity of feed. At the last meeting of the Kiwitea County Council a discussion took place on the use of the "long paddock." It was contended by one councillor that sheep could graze on the roads, but they must be moved at the rate of two miles a day. The matter is of considerable importance to a very large number of country settlers, especially as many are of the opinion expressed by the member of the Kiwitea council, believing that stock may be allowed to graze on roadsides without incurring a penalty, so long as they are kept on the move. In the course of an editorial bearing on the matter, the "Feilding Star" gays —Under this impression, drovers have been known to drive sheep and cattle up one road and down another and back again continuously day after day—just for the purpose of securing the fodder provided in "the long paddock." Of course, there are many honest drovers on the road, and they go about their business in a perfectly legitimate manner: but there are others, and it is these who cause the privilege of the use of "the long paddock" to be legally enacted against them. Last year, and this year again, we are informed, settlers have lost sheep from their paddocks, not in single numbers, but running into double figures; and there is no other explanation but that derivable from the passing of flucks of sheep along the thoroughfare by night and day. The laws of the land ever since the first days of settlement have always given special attention co safeguarding the interests of flocks and herds against the depredations of the cattle-lifter and the sheepBtealer. Even to thiß day it is a point insisted upon in our legislation, for it is a common suspicion that sheep are still sneaked out of paddocks by unscrupulous drovers, who mix the strangers with their own flocks as they pass over the highways. To such it is a timely reminder to mention that sec-

tion 59 of the Stock Act, 1908, states distinctly: "Every person who drives or removes any stock from any land not in his possession without the consent of the occupier of such land is liable to a fine not exceeding £IOO, or" —they should particularly make a note of this proviso—"to imprisonment for a period not exceeding twelve months." It is quite a mistaken notion that the roadside may be used as long as the stock is kept ."on the move. ' There is also a clear and distinct instruction on this point contained in section 58 of the Stock Act, which states that "every person who drives any stock on, along or across any highway or Crown lands at any time excepting between the hours of 6 in the morning and 6 in the evening of the same day in any month between the months of March and September or between the hours of 4 and 8 in any other part of the year, unles* provided with a permit to do so from a Justice of the [Peace, auctioneer, inspector, postmaster, or constable, is liable for every such offence to a fine of not more than £SO and not less than £5." The law is clear that drovers must have a definite destination when they are out with sheep or cattle, and "the long paddock" is not to.be used either as a grazing ground or as a camp, but merely as a highway along which to convey animals from paddock to paddock. WILL A FARMERS' PARTY BE FORMED? "That this conference approves the formation of a Farmers' Political Party in the Dominion Parliament to safeguard the interests of farmers." —This remit, standing in the name of Auckland, will be discussed at the forthcoming Dominion conference of the Farmers' Union. Auckland delegates are also to move a more definite motion, "That the union form a Farmers' Party." If a remit from Wellington is carried all candidates at the general election will be asked to answer the following question in addition to the usual one about the right to the freehold: "Will you take active steps and assist to the utmost to have the optional system brought into force and made applicable in every case to all Crown lands and lands for settlement landB?" Auckland will move to secure "that the selection of Farmer*' Party candidates shall be made by the provincial executives, but only candidates shall be selected who will engage themselves especially to watch all proposed legislation which will affect the farmer or the man on the land, and bind themselves to vote unitedly and in entire disregard of how it affects the statutes of the recognised political parties at present in Parliament, or the fate of any Ministry, while on all other questions which do not particularly affect the farmers), as such, members returned as Farmers party men, would be free to vote , v . . as to each man seems wisest and best. . . ." The last remit on the subject emanates from Wellington, and affirms the desirbility of uniting farmers in support of candidates in accord with the union platform.