STATE GUARANTEE WANTED.

Shannon News, 6 October 1922, Page 2

STATE GUARANTEE WANTED.

GIVING THE POSITION AWAY.”

Wellington, October 4

The difficulties of the New Zealand Meat Racking and Bacon Company were mentioned in the House by the member for Palmerston (Mr J. A. - Nash) to-day, when putting a request to the Government for assistance to enable the bacon packing industry to lie carried on this season.

Mr Nash .stated that recently a deputation of farmers waited on the Premier in regard to the bacon industry, and that morning those interested had consulted a number of members, as a consequence of the temporary stoppage of the Bacon Packing Company, causing great difficulty to larmers who- had their pigs ' ready for sale. The Packing Company, be continued, was in a very unfortunate position at present. The directors had guaranteed £60,000 for last, year to enable it to carry on and they wished to secure an amendment of the Finance Act giving’’ power tu the Government to make advances to tlie producers by way of guarantee, the amount reqired being £75,000. Tlie farmers would be prepared to guarantee up to about £40,000, so that they were not asking the Government to take over the business or inter fere with it. They wished to have a guarantee for twelve months. He asked if the Premier would receive a deputation on the subject. Mr Massey replied that he w«.s quite, willing to receive a deputation. “But,” lie continued, “it seems to me from what, has taken place that the whole position has been given away.' My duty is to look at it from.the point of view of .the country and to get the business running if it is pos- - •sidle. I know how serious it will he for the farmers if the business comes io a stop, as there is not time to organise anything satisfactory for the coming season.”

The Premier added that there was a good market in England, as he had ascertained from the chairman of the Meat Export Control Board. The latter had assured him that they were certain of disposing of pork, always assuming it was of good quality and satisfactory in price.” “It. is a serious proposal to make,” continued Mr Massey, “that the Government should provide a guarantee of £75,000, and it should have ‘been made to me in Hie first instance, so that the Government could have had an opportunity of considering it. This proposal has not been made to me previously. I want to do what is right, but- my first duty is to protect the interests of the country,” concluded tlie Premier, “and I will do that to the best of my ability.”