AMERICAN MEAT TRUST MENACE.

Taihape Daily Times, 23 June 1919, Page 5

AMERICAN MEAT TRUST MENACE.

zsvro the Editor) Sir,-—ln reply to Mr letter ‘of {the 114$-.« inst, I armory admit the many good points of the scheme he propounds, but there a.re"t‘wo essential factors on which his 03:" planations are not at all convincing(l) There is‘ nothing in the scheme to prevent the Meat Trust successfully shifting its point of attack from the producer to the Freezing Oomplany. (2) If “red tape” is entirely elimin- .- ated, we are not tolfi what means will employed to induce all freezing ‘ companies to unite in the interests Of the New Zealand producerSome of these companies are owned and financed by fiarmers, but some are owned and financed by wholesale meat firms, and I doubt if these companies will ever voluntarily join a. concern that is going to practically wipe out the wholesale part of the business. The one point in which I believe we are in agreement is that the cessation of Imperial buying next year ofl’el's a unique opportunity of putting the meat trade‘ on a better footing. Now, seeing tliere is little prospecft of th‘e'fa.rmers or freezing companies being able to take * vantage -of this opportunity if left *1 themselves, would we not be wise in seeking Government aid to bring about this improvement? I am quite conscious that Government cont'i'ol will not bring the millenium in its train, and the less we have of it the better;

but the interests involved are so great. and so far-reaching that. I believe it is ~_l3_s,sential to have the Government of the D’ cduntry in active association with the trade, at least in the form of ta partner. This connection is by no means mitigated when we consider the possibility of the Trust being able to influence shipping in a manner detrimental to our interest. Thanking you ‘in * anticipation.——]’ am, etc., _ D. G. GORDON