The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE TUESDAY, AUGUST 29th, 1916. THE AMERICAN BEEF TRUST.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 29 August 1916, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29th, 1916. THE AMERICAN BEEF TRUST.

(With which is incorporated The T&l----bap» Post and Waimarino News.)

It must be admitted on all sides that when the proposal to commandeer meat, wherewith to feed the Empire's armies, the great meat growers of New Zealand patriotically fell in with the British Government's views, and they continued to store up more meat than the authorities seemed able to take away. The thought then arose that distributing companies at Home might be more successful in influencing; shipping than the Government appeared to be, but farmers were content to leave themselves in the hands of the Government because they thought they were doing something towards winning the war. A position has arisen, however, which seems very like a betrayal of trust-, this position viewed ethically, can only be answered in one way. The farmers, as far as this meat business gees, have shown magnificent patriotism, and for that reason alone the Press of this country should have fought their battles much more consistently and determinedly. We have no consideration for greed and exploitation beyond its utter condemnation, but the question of justice for the men who have consented to their meat being commandeered should .have our peoples first consideration. The iniquities or the system that has grown up affecting New Zealand meat were pointed out in a previous issue; since then a deputation of farmers has waited on the Prime Minister, who admits the truth of very nearly all that has been said. It is true that our meat is being | sold by our farmers at five and fives- ! eighths, while someone In England is getting it at that price and selling it at fourteen and a-half. The British Government is certainly lax in what it owes to our farmers. It has the first call upon Argentine meat, takes what j it require;?, and leaves the balance to ( be put on the open market—surely | New Zealand is entitled to similar treatment. But, no, our meat is handled over to exploiters, who are quoting- it at a penny or twopence less than the inferior Argentine. If the Argentine contract allowed growers to place their surplus on the open market, why was not the same provision made with regard to New Zealand meat, and who is to blame for overlook ing so important an aspect? Mr Mas-

\ sey remarked that Argentine had a tremendous advantage, which means that New Zealand is at a tremendous disadvantage. Why? Have our farmers been too plastic in their efforts to help the Government? It is not what is now being lost to New Zealand, but the damaging effect for time to come by the constant quoting of inferior meat at a higher rate. New Zealand farmers put their trust in the Home Government, represented by the British Board of Trade, and that trust, there are indications has been betrayed. Our people do not mind tie starving poor of England having the meat at commandeered prices, but to hand it over to meat trusts to make huge fortunes out of is a distinct insult to them that they are justified in resenting to an extreme. The British Board of Trade in handing our produce to a well known representative of the American Meat Trust has opened the flood gates for the operations of men here who are consumed with greed, and who would not hesitate, therefore, in bringing about conditions that would tend to social upheaval. A most alarming statement was made by the Prime Minister to the deputation referred to above. It was remarked that it was feared the American Beef Trust had gained a footing in New Zealand. Mr Massey interjected: "There is no doubt about it." We have watched for some time past the changing conditions in this country, but Ave have been assured by the Government from time to time that the tentacles of the Meat Trust were ever being' watched, and that the first to be placed on New Zealand would be promptly lopped off. Now we are told that there is no doubt about this meal octopus having a hold en our meat industry. The bait has been laid, made sufficiently tempting, and thoughtless greed has swallowed it. It was urged that the experience of meat growers in other countries would deter our people from ever becoming victims, but we know now that the tentacles have sot a firm hold, and we may be sure that the life blood of the industry is beginning to ooze through into the capacious maw of this voracious and conscienceless Trust. What seemed like the first signs of the Beef Trust having battened itself on New Zealand was the gradual lessening or sheep growing and the increase of cattle. We urge our farmers not to Do misled by the speciousness of representatives of this Beef Trust, who we now know are, like Prussian spies, moving amongst us. It is plain why our farmers' meat is being handed over to members of this detestable combine in London. Farmers here may well deputationise the Premier and ask himf Where the excess between five and a-half and fourteen and a-half is going to. They know it is not going f to the British consumer, and they have the assurance of the British Government that the Board of Trade is not getting it. Then there is only one other channel it can be running into, fci'd that is tlo channel .'.hat leads to J.'.p maw Lf -.he American lieef Trust. These members c: the Meat Trust our farmers will vc. shake off of themselves, because t! e. v cannot, i nd it is iv well they should realise this at once. Other indications of the presence or this iniquitous combine is the tendency of owners of very large estates abandoning sheep for cattle,, as took place in Australia. Such changes may not yet have become obvious anywhere in this country ye,t, but- it will as certainly follow the footing of the Trust ps that the Trust exists. Cattle men in Australia say t-ney abandoned sheep because their land was not so fit for sheep as for cattle, but they j omit to say that the fitness was j brought about by the meat octopus, j

Let cur farmers be quite assured oi ! this fact: They will find no redress and very little lasting- comfort in deputationiug anybody for the purpose of advocating a return to honest conditions; they will have to take their interests into their own keeping, and with a firm upper lip refuse to con-

tinue any arrangement for commandeering that admits of a suspicion cf manipulation. It is estimated that the ruaa.pulators .have already taken one million pounds out of our farmers' pockets, but that is an infinitesimal sum compared to what will be taken as the tentacles get a firmer and more general hold. The time for action »s now; the new season will soon be com mencing, and another year will not mean a million, as last year, but probably two or three. The Meat Vampire is a conscienceless thing! Farmers, it has its tentacles around you. do not be put off with soft words.

It was stated in the City cf London Court on July 14 that owing to the war a millionaire, well known in City circles, is unable to meet bis obligations. The millionaire's name was not disclosed.

From too date of the issue cf trie War Loan until last night the sum of £106,900 was applied for through the Christchurch branch of the Bank of Zealand. This represents applications for bonds alone, and is in adtion to the sum of about £22,000 invested in bonds and certificates through post offices in the Christchurch postal district.

A man named John Mathias was convicted at the local Court this morning on a charge of drunkenness, and was fined ss. Mr J. P. Aldridge, J.P., presided.

The police in England are now given power to request holders of exemption cards to produce them on request. It will soon be like that here in New Zealand.

The Government Statistician is making ready for the proclamation of the Expeditionary Force Eeserve at the end of next week. Everything possible will be done to ensure that all men concerned (those between the ages of 20 and 46) will have no excuse for neglecting the duty laid upon them

It lias been decided that members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who have wives or families in New Zealand, or against whom affiliation or maintenance orders have been made in New Zealand, shall be brought back here before being discharged from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

At the meeting of the Taihape Patriotic Commitee, the chairman, Mr A. L. Arrowsmith, stated that at the last conference of the representatives of Patriotic Committees it was quite evident that the various committees were beginning to look on the Advisory Board with favour and he thought that this was a very hopeful sign.

The Wanganui Education Board (says the Hawera Star) has done the graceful thing in connection with tne teachers in the schools now transferred* to Taranaki district. Each teacher according to his or her work, has received a. letter of thanks and appreciation in respect of the services' given, the letter being in terms calculated to make the teacher feel that good servicehas been duly recognised.

At so-called missionary meetings throughout Germany speakers invariably deplore the devastation of missionary fields owing to the action of the British in driving out their Ger-

man colleagues, and ask their audiences what they are to think of Christian England in giving the heathen so terrible an object lesson in the hollowness of the assumption that Christianity is a religion of love and brother hood.

In all the Kitchener memoirs published recently no mention seems to have been made of his Masonic connection. Yset h e has held some of the highest offices in the craft. Strangely enough, though he has filled important offices in England, there are few masons who can give you the name of his mother lodge. As a matter of fact, Kitchener was initiated into the order in Egypt and there is in existence a photograph of him wearing the Masonic r.egalia.

A circular letter has been sent by Colonel Cossgrove, Dominion Chief Scout, to the various branches of the Farmers' Union in North Canterbury, inquiring whether, in view of the probable shortage of labour for the coming harvest, it would help if the scout authorities were to send a few good boy' scouts to farmers to assist them at that time. C ol °nel Cossgrove says that his association would expect the farmers to look after the boys as they would their own sons _

In tiro course of an argument in the hearing of a civil action at the 'Auckland Supreme Court on Friday afternoon, counsel for one of the parties referred to the Arbitration Court in terms not very flattering to the sweet course of justice in that tribunal. "We prefer to come to this Court than to go to the Arbitration Court,'' he remarked, adding, "In the Arbitration Court it is mor e expensive and less sure than justice in this Court."

The London Financial Times states that it has received private information from London to the effect that en gineering circles of Great Britain are convinced that the Panama Canal is doomed. An admission of this by the United States Government cannot be delayed many months it is stated. "Ws

are informed," says newspaper, "that British emissaries have beeu m Great Britain for the last two months endeavouring to secure the B'ritish en gineering data on the alterantive plan known as the Nicaragua route. It will be remembered that a strong body of engineers fought the Panama project in favour of Nicaragua."

Th e following story, of bravery and devotion to duty is taken from a letter written by an Auckland soldier in Franco:— "A certain part of our line was attacked by Germans, and one of our bombers was hit; his leg was completely shattered by a bomb or pieces of shell. Nevertheless he kept on throwing bombs until Ins supply was exhausted. Even then he shouted .for

more bombs. His mates 'around him were all killed and when our. relief party came' along he was stili calling for "more bombs." The Germans wer e soon settled; some got buck (o their own trenches, but lots of them didn't. This brave fellow was taken away in. a bad way, but we are all hoping that he will pull through and receive his well-canned reward

On Monday Messrs W. Carmody, F. Kettle well, T. McCullough; J. McCullough and W. .yKite; proceeded from. Taihape to Palmerston North, and will join the 20th Reinforcements.

Says the Foxton Herald: "One local lady is corresponding with twelve men at the front,, and judging by the replies, the letters are keenly appreciated by the men."

T-'ie Department of Internal Affairs notifies that all persons, including women, must now obtain permits to leave New Zealand, and that the age under which a permit is not required has been reduced from 18 to 15 years.

A semi-official document captured by the French shows that the Germans are in great difficulties regarding the manning of aeroplanes. An officer's diary admits that the German airmen are far inferior to the French or British, and says this has the worst effect on the German morale.

A farewell social and dance is to be held at Bennett's Siding to-morrow evening, to say good-bye to Mr George Reid, who is on his final leave before going to the front with the next Reinforcements to sail. Admission is free, and a good evening's amusement is promised. There should be a large attendance

Regarding- the case of the deserter, the Minister for Defence, the Hon j Allen, said the Government did net feel justified in publishing, the man's name pending receipt of details from Home, which had been asked for. Steps were being taken, however, to deal with the matter as soon as information was available.

The star picture, "The Dragon," shown last night at the Three Star's, is without exception a really fine production; it is a picture that commands attention from sart to finish. The actattention from start to finish. The act to see, while the other actors are all that could be desired. The last screen-

ing takes place to-night, and those who wish to see a good thing should attend.

On Wednesday Messrs W. J. White & Sons open their first Spring exhibition of new millinery. To this fact Messrs White draw public attention in their new advertisement on page 1. Their large establishment will be thrown open all day to-morrow, and the ladies of this district are cordially invited to call in and inspect what the new season is bringing forth in the way of ladies' headwear.

Picture patrons will be well ' supplied with the best productions that are procurable, as Mr Nicholls, of the local pictures, has completed arrangements and secured the-best that is on the N.Z. circuit and those arriving in N.Z. later. Amongst those to arrive here are the great Triangle productions. The first of these will arrive here soon; also the "Chaplin" series, as well as "Britain Prepared," "Birth of a Nation," and a host of other gooa productions.

From time to time since the initiation of the recruiting,- scheme the attention of the Recruiting Board has been directed throughout th e Dominion to families in their districts with two or more single sons of military age, not one of whom lias enlisted. In response to numerous requests that some steps should be taken to deal with such cases, a section was inserted in the Military Service Act, which empowers th e Minister of Defence if he is satisfied with respect to any family that it consists of or includes two or more brothers who belong to the First Division of the Reserve and are not permanently unfit, to bring all or any of those brothers before a Military .Service Board, to there show cause why they should not be called up for service in the Expeditionary Force_ It is understood that this section of the Act is to be brought into force as early as possible.