TOW ZEALAND PRODUCE

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17287, 30 September 1916, Page 9

TOW ZEALAND PRODUCE

METHODS OF DISPOSAL IN BRITAIN. ’ HIGH COMMISSIONER REPLIES TO CRITICS. By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. . LONDON, September 28. Sir Thomas; Mackenzie, in an inter- ' view, said he did not regret the nonconclusion of the contract between the Imperial and New Zealand Governments for the purchase of cheese, on the grounds, firstly, that it was unfair to commandeer the produce of one part of the Empire while others werp' allowed the free Tiin of the open market to get better prices, and secondly, be-' cause commandeering tended to destroy trade connections which took years to build up, and diverted trade to American*! and others. SALE OF MEAT. .Apparently, Sir Thomas continued, some misapprehension in regard to meat existed in New Zealand, It was not' clearly realised that when meat was sold it became the buyer's property. The committee of which ho was a member framed a policy for the sale and distribution of surplus meat, through ’ Smith field, in such a way as to secure distribution through pre-war channels and consaive as far as possible 'previous trade connections. The committee wgs not in a position to Stipulate the selling of meat on standard grade, nor to allow in respect of meat not up to quality. , NO SPECULATION. 11l reference to speculation in meht. Sir Tho'maa Mackenzie sale} that the Board of Trade agents were allowed a 2 per cent commission on sales. Firms supplying retailers were only allowed a halfpenny* a pound on the prices paid to Board of Trade agents. A searching investigation failed to show any speculation nor had the position ,of any member of the committee been usetKto advantage himself or others. RETAIL PRICES UNCONTROLLED. While the Board of Trade fixed the wholesale price' of New Zealand meat, . British, Argentine and,other meats, wesre not interfered with.' - Retail prices were entirely uncontrolled, which operated" to New Zealand’s disadvantage. Retailers were abb to buy New Zealand meat at a comparatively lower . rate apd could afford to give a higher price for free meat. - THE ONLY ALTERNATIVES. Tbps, at one time, inferior Argentine lamb realised 2fd per lb more than JSew Zealand. The only alternatives were for the New Zealand producer to make up his mind to sell outright to the Home authorities and accept the subsequent fate of the meat, or to send on consignments giving the Board of. u Trade first option for Army .purposes, the surplus to be placed on the open market. • ‘ln the latter case there was a possibility of freight ticuble. ‘ TO ABOLISH DEDUCTIONS. y.- Sir Thomas Mackenzie is ehdehvourr ing to secure the abolition of the pracf tice of deducting certain weights. This Would mean a saving of 21b per sheep end lib per lamb. , .TRADE WITH BRISTOL. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S VISIT. (Received September 25), 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, ©Sptember 29. ' The Lord Mayor of. Bristol welcomed Sir Thomas Mackenzie and Sir James . Carroll and Mr. J. Young. They' inspected the docks and cold storage facilities. At a reception tendered by merchants and manufacturers, < the presidents of the. local trading associations in the west advocated -Closer trading' relations. fyetween t. England and Australasia. Sir Thomas Mackenzie described New Zealand’s post-war proposals for increasing tne trade with Britain.