The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1920. A PRODUCE MARKETING DENOUEMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3516, 30 June 1920, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1920. A PRODUCE MARKETING DENOUEMENT.

With which is incorporated “The Taihapp Post, and Waimarino News.”

The Food Control in Great Britain lias been a source of wonderment, and the protracted silence of New Zealand's High Commissioner has for a long time been enigmatical, to those people, a part of whose duty it is to watch the interests of. New Zealand. Food authorities at Home have escaped criticism purely from motives of New Zealand’s patriotism, from New Zealanders who were, literally boiling over with resentment at the persistent mystifying ill-usage of New Zealand’s most vital interests. It should be superfluous to repeat the fact (hat New Zealanderg have, during the whole war period and since the armistice was signed, stood out in bold relief, for Empire first, for the Empire’s defenders second, and for themselves last, despite the miserable sneers of Lord Derby. The last straw has now burst open the flood-gates of the New Zealand High Commissioner’s wrath, and resentment; the callous disregard of New Zealand, its people, and its future by the. British Food Control has been so persistent that dt has broken down the long-suffering patience of Sir Thomas Mackenzie, and he has publicly told the British Food Authorities what he thinks about them. At 'i luncheon given to Lord Atholstau, of the Montreal Star, Mr Mackenzie speaking with deep feeling, declared that because of the action id’ the British Government the vital interests of; New Zealand were at stake. “Our verv life-blood is interfered, with, and he amply supported his statement with figures that did not dissemble. The wool, he said, sold to the British authorities at a pound had not

coached manufacturors under from 5/to S/- a pound. “Nn wonder, ” I'e derimed, “your tailors are (.'barging .V ou 20 guineas for a suit ot doilies. It )■- true New Zealand is entitled to half the profits, but farmers do not want ir. Tliov were content to let any surplus go to soldiers ami sailors who suffered by the war. For every million of money received by New Zealand fanners who grew the wool the British Government has received about fi\e millions. Sir Thomas went on to say that under a mistaken assumption llie Food Controller was holding np more than five million carcases of New Zealand meat. That moat would deteriorate and the high reputation New Zealand fanners have earned for this important article of food will be destroyed. To effect a clearance the Con-t.-ollcr reduced the price of mutton three-halfpence, but at the same time put up lamb so that prices actually averaged a halfpenny more than before the reduction. New Zealanders are

fully justified iu doubting the actions and motives of the British Food Control, they savour far too .much of either the fool or the rogue. It is known full well to Mr Mackenzie that while New Zealanders have been receiving fivepencc for their meat American meat trusts have been netting millions of profits out of the rationed British workers, and New Zealand dairy farmers have been treated no more considerately than wool and meat growers. They arc now threatened, said Sir Thomas, with expulsion from British markets unless they are prepared to take 1/71 a pound for their butter, which is less than half what it paid to Irish butter merchants. The High Commissioner has virtually notified New Zealanders that it is time to stand in greatest force against a continuance of such recompense for patriotism, to resent the regime of throat which is becoming more audacious because it has not been forcefully resented hitherto. The New Zealand Government has feared to oppose this exploitation of their country and people, or they have wittingly, inscrutably looked on while the British Government has emptied the New Zealand exchequer of its last shilling. For fivo years New r Zealand meat has been requisitioned at from fourpence to sixpence and sold in Britain at from eighteen pence to two shillinge a pound; wool 1 has been taken at fifteenpence and sold at from five to eight shillings a pound, and while the Prime Minister with one breath tells Now Zealanders they will have to bear heavily increased taxation, besides lending their money to the Government they themselves urgently need for in erasing production, they are told with the next breath they must sell their butter at less than half what is paid for Irish butter, or be expelled from British markets altogether. This

is carrying tl no sentiment in business” to an hitherto unprecedented extreme. In the very plainest V)f language Sir Thomas Mackenzie informs this Dominion’s people of the process of bleeding they h&ve been subjected to throughout the war, and up to the present moment. Britain has taken everything and now threatens to ruin the future of their victims’ meat trade, as well as their butter trade if thgy refuse to let it go at less than half what they willingly pay merchants for their butter. It is obvious that New Zealand producers are beset with a viperous crow of Empire wreckers in Britain. While this Dominion has made almost unbelievable sacrifices in men and money they have largely been pursuing a course which has enabled a system of millions-making to be successfully practiced in Britain'. Why, we .in all reason ask, did not Sir Mackenzie speak earlier game of grab? Who was entitled to close and open his lips and let loose his tongue but the Government under which he held his office! Why did not the New Zealand Government remove the gag they had placed between the teeth of the High Commissioner? It cannot be claimed that the Prime Minister was unaware of what his representative in London was in full possession of, then why was not the truth told to New Zealand farmers? What is the resultnut situation? New Zealand meat is being discredited; wool is the subject of most impudent exploitation; butter is threatened with expulsion from British markets unless it is sacrificed at less than half what ig paid for Irish butter; there is little else than paper money in the country, gold reserves being sent to Britain to New Zealand's disadvantage; paper currency is appreciating and those who loan it will have to pay higher rates of interest: Government is stone-broke; must, increase taxation; must raise money from somewhere, and what is going to happen? The Government dare not give even one turn to the compulsion screw in loan-raising, and future prospects have been rendered so black by exploitation by Government and trusts that men who are fortunate enough to have money beyond their immediate requirements are likely to shepherd it against the rainy day which is obviously ahead. Compulsory contribution was resented by British Parliaments as far back :as the reign of, Elizabeth when Sergeant Hoyle urged that the national wealth was at the call of the Sovereign. Interruption of his speech was so determined, regardless of the Speaker’s etfo-ts to keep order, that Hoyle had to resume his scat without finishing what he wished to urge. Compulsion is repugnant to the British mind, but Government knew all this while it deliberately permitted huge unsavoury profits to be accumulated in a few hands, beyond its legitimate reach. Ml the Gov-

eminent can now safely ilo is to tax war wealth. The appearances ?r>' that the Islands which comprise Now Zealand have boon exploited right down to the rim of the ocean on every shore, leaving utterly inadequate wealth to provide the money Government must have to successfully 'carry bn, and parry the rebellious spirit that is slumbering. Sir Thomas Mackenzie virtually advises farmers that 'their confidence in the past has been misplaced, ami that it is now time to determine their own interests.