THE MEAT TRUST.

Taihape Daily Times, 11 December 1918, Page 6

THE MEAT TRUST.

ITS HOLD IN NEW ZEALAND. PARLIAMENT TAKING ACTION v WELLINGTON, Dec. 9. On a motion to go into committee on the Slaughtering and Inspection Amendment Bill, Mr. Nosworthy said in the House to-day that he was glad to see the Stock Committee, to which the Bill was referred, had seen fit to increase penalties as ia check upon the operations of the Meat Trust. Mr. Hunter said very valuable evidence had been given before the Stock Committee as to the methods of the Meat Trust and he hoped no means would be neglected to prevent the incubus of the Meat Trust descending upon this Dominion of ours, Mr. Payne advocated the Nationalisation of freezing works as the best method of checking the Meat Trust. Mr. McCoombs quoted authority to show that Meat Trust’s war profits amounted to twenty-four million sterling. He supported this legislation.

Mr. W.H. Field said if the Meat Trust got unrestricted sway in New Zealand the country would be reduced to a state of bankruptcy. We had now big tasks in front of us, but this was beginning to be a big task. Mr. Poole said we had not yet reached the extortionate prices for meat in New Zealand being charged in America. but if wo did not heed *a word of warning, we would be punished just as severely, because there was no mercy about the Meat Trust.

The Hon. MacDonald said up to the present the Government had not had much opportunity of intervening in this matter, but the Government proposed to take series of steps. of which this was the first for the purpose of checking the operations of the Meat Trust in the Dominion. He was of opinion that wo would yet have to arrange for control of the shipping and distribution of meat through England. Shipping was a big question, but he doubted if we would bo able to do anything in the way of State ownership of shipping until our men were demobilised. This Bill would be a warning to firms who. were ; commencing to operate here that they were not going to run at their own sweet will in New Zealand. Mr Nosworthy moved to increase the fines from £IOOO to £2OOO. and from £2OO to £4OO in clause 5. Agreed to.