DOMINION PRODUCE

Southland Times, Issue 18853, 19 June 1920, Page 5

DOMINION PRODUCE

THE WELLINGTON CONFERENCE

MR E. BOWMAR’S REPORT.

INTERESTING SIDELIGHTS.

j At the annual provincial conference of the 1 Formers Union yesterday, Mr E. Bowniar I ™ u;j ’ along with the president (Mr W. 1 Cnuser) attended the recent conference of the producing and shipping interests at , Wellington as representing the local union, gave an instructive and interesting summary i of his impressions of the conference. I THE MEAT POSITION. | Mr Bowman dealt first with the meat position. At the conference, he said, there , were those who held various opinions of : Mr Massey, but, after listening to the telegrams read by the Prime Minister, it was i apparent to every unbiassed man that he t had put up a strong light for the producer. | His efforts to get the commandeer extended j had been strong, but the final telegram from 1 the Imperial authorities was definite. In | this telegram it was stated that the Impcr--1 ial Government was reluctant to increase 1 the difficulties in connection with its purj chases. Mr Massey held (he opinion that I if tin effort had been made to get the com--1 mamlecr extended twelve or eighteen j months, ago it would have been more likely | to he siieeessfid. From figures quoted at the | conference it appeared that, there were 15,500,000 carcases of New Zealand mutton and lamb in store and on the water. Now the Americans were evidently purchasing some of this. In fact, he had been told privately that it was hoped to sell to America practically the whole of the New Zealand lamb. The Imperial Government expected (o lilt 4,200,000 carcases before (lie | end of November, so by that time there j n ould in’ roughly 5,090.000 carcases in I store m New Zealand. By the end of June lit was expected that there would be j 2,7000,000 carcases in the country’s stores. I When asked at the conference if he thought I the Imperial Government would be likely | to oppose any efforts on the part of the producers to obtain new market.*, Mr Massey said that he did not know how the Home authorities would view the diversion of ships, to another part of (he world, but, from his knowledge of the authorities, he was sun- that no barriers would be de- | libcrately placed in the way of the producers.' j The difficulties that might present themi selves owing to any heavy surplus being on I band at the termination of the commandeer 1 and the difficulties confronting those who, j not knowing what the position was going to be, might, be anxious regarding getting thsr j meat into store, were also considered. As a ; result, an Advisory Board had been set up ;to advise the Government as these dilfii cuitics arose. Mr Massey had given (he c-.-ii--1 ference to understand that any reasonable j propo- aL brought forward would be- aon--1 * dcinl. Mr Massey also mentioned that ■'.He Llll erial Government might entertain line idt.a of ,-liipj'ing free meat along with ; its cwii holdings. The feeling of many at j the ■■ onli-renee was against this, however, j and llic speaker's opinion was that the in- . .o‘ on of new and old meat in shipments 11 .me 'night tempt the seller at the other si le to actions that would jeopardise the r<-| illation of New Zealand produce. There was a strong feeling evinced at the confer; nee that the producers should staid j aside for a few months in order to let the. j imperial Government clear its holdings. j MOKE HOPEFUL OUTLOOK. ! Referring to the shipping question a? 1 affecting the shipping of meal, Mr Bowniar ■ said that the interests represented cl the

conference had voiced the opinion that 'liry could remove roughly 7,900,000 carcase* pi j year. The companies had suffered during the war in the loss of ships, but, (hey were replacing them steadily. One company jc-pii-'-cntcd had lost six ships, but it had hulk five since the losses, another was nearing completion and two more were expeded lo lie ready for next season. Th". forecast, based on two trips - per year, was (hat 10,500,(1110 carcase* could be earned 1 eb re Im’g. The ' hold ups” at the Port of London were being overcome. Another aspect I fiat made the prospect bright A was .that Australia would require l;.*s space. In fact, it was expected that the Cm inn.mwc.dth would have practically nothing lo rim m; fur twelve months. Mr Bowniar wc d on lo deal with tin; increased shippii.g charge ,ielerred to in another column 1 sine.' 19 14. He stated Inal (lie mlcicst.-. rcure-ei.l cd were not prepared to gi - e a guide as to what luLire charges would be. THE WOOL POSITION. Speaking of the conference'* dcliberatim.* on the wool question, Mr Bowniar said that the Prime Minister stat’d that there was likely to he a carry ever. The total number of bales was 514,09), i( was thought that the available tonnage would reduce the number lo 159,9b ; ) bale: - by November. The new elip was estimated at 569.990 bales. Li the opinion of the Wool brokers’ Association the intuit - ) 1) Gov< rumen I should be requested to expedite, the lifting of its holdings, ,l had been panned out to the conference that one of the difficulties confronting the Eurv.'vj milium in disposing of their hold - ngs of wool was the laik of li nance through he action of America in refusing to fin,nice them.

L had been, concfit iod Mr Bc wmar, a very interesting and in<*.r 1 nice confirc* < e.

A vote of thanks to .Vrs ('-.Miser and Bmvinar for attending the conference was carried on the motion of Mr A. .1. Nichol who described Mr Jio.vii cV 'nfurmauen as very valuable and inter.sting.