DOMINION INTERESTS.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 May 1919, Page 6

DOMINION INTERESTS.

IMPORTANT STATEMENS BY

MEMBERS.

WELLINGON, May 2S

Numerous matters arising out of remits passed by the Conference of the "Wellington Province Farmers' Union were discussed with lions. MncDonald and Guthrie by delegates to the conference this afternoon. Questions dealt with included shipping, the operations of the Meat Trust, and the fixing the price for butter. IXSTLATED SHIPPING SPACE Hon. MacDonald said in regard to the question of insulated shipping, that lie did not think the Government had •left anything undone in this respect. Constant representations had been made to Sir Joseph Ward, urging that more shipping should be placed at the disposal of New Zealand. Every effort [had been made to influence the minds of the Imperial .authorities that the position "was urgent so far as the Dominion was concerned.

The president (Mr G. L. Marshall): Is it not a fact that the Meat Trust has had influences at work to divert some of the ships that should have come here?

The Minister replied that he had been advised from England that the influences of the Meat Trust had had no .such effect at all. The same question lia'd occurred to him after the Act of last session had been passed, and it was> fot that reason he had had inquiries made in the Old Country. The Trust was- not able to interfere with the shipping position at all. THE MEAT TRUST. In respect to the operations of the Meat Trust, the Hon. MacPwiald said an export was not needed this year, as companies were selling meat to the New Zealand Government, which obtained supplies- for the Home Government. To him, that appeared to be a weakness, but it was in accordance with the legislation passed last year. Of course, farmers could help the Government in the matter if they refused t© sell meat to the Trust. However, the position had not been so severe during the war, as the Imperial Government had been purchasing all the supplies of meat in the Dominion and had even bad to obtain supplies from the Meat Trust itself. At the same time the general position was serious, and he was strongly of opinion that before the meat contract with the Imperial authorities ceased a strong commission should be sent Home from New Zealand to inquire into the whole question, but they would have to await the arrival of the two leaders from the Old Country before anything could be done. Personally, he believed iho Government •would have to send agents abroad tP look after the interests of the producers of the country. He hoped Dr. Reakes would be able .to go Home within the next few months to go into the whole position. The conference had suggested that the names of representatives of the Meat Trust should be published, and he could not see any reason why that should not. be done.

f Bo far as the fixation of prices was concerned, the Hon. Mae Donald knew it was a most difficult matter to deal with it. It was said here yesterday that the fixation of prices and interfering with the produce of farmers was done for political purposes. That was riot a fair statement. Whatever had "been done had been done to protect th.:'.' produce of the farmers of this country. , BUTTER' AND 'POTATOES. The Minister went on to exlain the position regarding the prices of buttc.' and potatoes, he said the reason the, embargo had been placed on their export was that the price soared from £3 15s to £l7, and afterwards to £2O per ton. He knew it was unfair to exercise drastic powers in connection with, the produce of the soil, but they were living under extraordinary Conditions. Food prices had gonvi up tremendously. Therefore, They could net wonder at, industrial unrest when it was found that prices, had increased to such an extent. It could be understood why the workers asked for more wages and why Btopwork and the like meetings were beld. HY DRO- EL ECTRIC POWER. .Speaking of hydro-electric power, tho Minister said it would be a good thing for the cool position in the country if cool stores were connected up with the hydro-electric power scheme. When the hydro-electric proposals of the Minister of Public Works became an accomplished fact, farmers should net rest content until every cool store in the country was connected up with the power supply stations. MR. GUTHRIE'S VIEWS

The Hon. Mr. Guthrie said everything was being done to try to. relieve the shipping position. The Government had been assured that a fair apportionment cf shipping had been allocated to New Zealand compared with .Australia. No doubt the Dominion had been overshadowed by the name of Australasia, proper distinction not having been made between the two countries of Australia and New Zear land. Had it not been for strikes and flpidomics, more ships would have been available for loading in Now Zealand. ,iA.t the present time half the season's

output of cheese —amounting to 447,ODO crates was- in store. With regard to butter, they had nothing to fear, and the same could be said regarding wool. They could get plenty of space far the shipment of wool. There was an idea abroad that the equalisation heavily upon the exporters. Cabinet scheme in respect of butter pressed was considering a suggestion to take from the Consolidated Fund the money necessary to improve the position of those producers whoso bitter wap kept for local censumtion at a lower price than that fixed for export. Dealing with the question of waste lands, Hon. Guthrie said Sir Francis BVII was fully alive to the necessity for such lands being planted or sown as soon as possible. He felt sure as fund and labour were available, Sir Francis Bell would go ahead with a vigorous policy.