FOOD COMMISSION

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 123, 28 April 1925, Page 10

FOOD COMMISSION

FORECAST OF REPORT. EXTENSIVE POWERS PROPOSED. LONDON, April 25. The Morning Post’s political correspondent, foreshadowing tho food report, says : “It is understood that the National F’ood Council, working in conjunction with the Board of Trade, will be more than a statutory advisory committee. It will be made clear that this machinery has been devised to deal with every kind of trading in foodstuffs. Shopkeepers, producers, importers, consumers, local authorities and the Government departments will all bo represented. It is proposed to give the council power to examine traders’ books and accounts, issue licenses to trado in certain trade’s, warn profiteers, and obtain if necessary a shareholding influence in the South American chilled meat importing trado. The report will also advocate regular, compulsory returns of the amount of meat in cold storago and in course of transit to Britain. “Regarding meat, the commission affirms that tho profits are high and suggest that tho butchers combine unduly to depress tlio price which the farmers receive. Tho commissioners criticise at length the meat trusts in North and South America and the connection of those trusts with the importing and multiple shop companies in Britain.” Tho correspondent adds that if the recommendations are of the nature expected they will not command the support of a large number of Conservative members of the House of Commons. Sir Auckland Heckles lias always been somewhat, inclined to State intervention since his experience with the Ministry of Reconstruction. —A. and N.Z. cable.