DOMINION PRODUCE

Southland Times, Issue 18819, 12 May 1920, Page 5

DOMINION PRODUCE

MEAT AND BUTTER PROSPECTS. THE PREMIER INTERVIEWED. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 11. The Prime Minister was asked to-day for his opinion regarding the cabled announcement that the British Government had decided to reduce the price of meat with the apparent object of clearing the glut of stocks at present held. “I know that the drop in prices had to come,” said Mr Massey. “That was quite certain judging by the enormous quantities of meat in store in Britain and on the way thereto. Like many others I cannot help thinking that there has been a great deal of mismanagement in Britain, particularly in the handling of meat. Everyone knows that the people of Central Europe would be very glad to have whatever surplus may be available, but with the unrest that prevails there it is apparently almost impossible to provide properly for the requirements of the population. The markets for our produce are limited to Britain and perhaps the United States. Whether we can do much business with the latter country remains to be seen. The meat trusts do not appeal to many of the producers of this country, and I think that the producers have every reason to be careful. What the position will be six months from now so far as the meat supplies of Britain are concerned it is almost impossible at present to say. The outlook for shipping from New Zealand is good, there being no fewer than thirty ships in sight, but even with the number of ships and others to follow it is almost certain that there will be a large quantity of meat in our cold stores when next season opens at the end of the year. The Imperial Government will make a serious loss by the reduction in price which has been announced, but as against that they made a good profit on Australasian meat during most of 1918. For some time past I have been unable to get any definite statement from the Board of Trade or the Food Ministry with regard to their intentions in the way of assisting us and avoiding the confusion and inconvenience which may result from having quantities of Imperial Government owned meat in store after the end of 1920. There is no reason to be pessimistic with regard to the future, but what has happened and is happening in regard to meat, along with the drop in prices of wool announced to-day, is another indication that we cannot depend upon the very good prices which we have received for our products during the war period continuing indefinitely. There is no possibility of a continuation of the meat commandeer. If the Imperial Government agree to any extension of the requisition it will be only for a short period in order to enable the stores to be cleared before the new season's meat is ready for shipment. I have information to convey about butter, but there will be no commandeer. It is quite definite that there will be no commandeer of cheese this season.”