THE PRODUCE COMMANDEER.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3329, 6 November 1919, Page 5

THE PRODUCE COMMANDEER.

(To the Editor.)

Sir.——You Were evidently sparking well and feeling very fit ,when you picked, up the pen to reply to yours truly; but if you read my letter again and then your reply and think, you must admit your imagination was an[swerable for a number of charges against me that are as thescotch say “Not Proven.” Your criticism I Wel« come, but my main object is, as in the past, to try and stir up attention to the fact that valuable time is slipping past and nothing visibly ‘being done to better our methods of marketing~ abroad New Zealand meat. Political bias I have none on this question, but whichever Party cancels the present mail subsidiesland capitalises it to create a State line will have my vote. Where you got your ideas ‘from that I think shipping is just splendid puzzles me. Well, sir, really you must have had a Welsh rarebit for supper. What I did say, orrather wrote,‘ was that “'shipping'prospects are improving." My figuresre prices are plain facts, where the “intoxication” comes in I fail to see. Your office “tee” is a bit faulty, the whole jar’s empty. I wrote the letter in bed. Looked bad didn’t it, but what kept me there was the “Flu.” So the verdict is again “Not Proven..” Now as to my opinion re the “C~ommandeer," you put this and that down with many flourishes, as my opinion on the matter when you hadn’t the slightest idea, vvhatvit was. I advocated "co-copera-: tion with the British retail butcher for the disposal of ‘our meat offals_’.’; Is there anything aboprt 'l.‘rusrs org Combines about that? Or :u.ga?u~.t the Commandeer? economic problems finds it essential to buy the Australasian meat in bulk for one, two or three years, does that stop us from having a say in the maiter, re price, methods of distributing. etc? I think not. You say the gentlemen controlling our produce concerns control the distributing at Home._l I say they do not. If you do not; really know, ring up any wairks man-: ager or director and ask him if he has any control overlhis output re distributing at Home. I. maintain they should have, and so prepare the way‘ to be ready whenever the meat is. released. In conclusion I would say that myprevious letter was written with the idea of causing a little interest to be taken in the matter of this Comrnandeer, and if it is extended, more attention to terms re our future position in the meat trade. I am just a layman used to handling sheep more than the pen, so please Mr Editor, ‘be merciful, not too much gall in the ink, or such fearful drum—major-like flourishes with the pen.—l am, ete_, S. S. TIMBS.