The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1920. A TAIHAPE MEAT EXPERT IN THE UNITED STATES.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3583, 20 September 1920, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1920. A TAIHAPE MEAT EXPERT IN THE UNITED STATES.

With which is incorporated "The Taihape Post and Waimarino News,"

A letter from Mr S. S. Timbs, who has passed through America on his way to England, appeared amongst the news of Friday's issue of this journal. Before Mr Timbs left New Zealand we expressed the hope that he would as thoroughly as possible make himself reliably acquainted with the system, of marketing and the prices paid to 'the farmer as well as those taken from the consumer for meat; that he would confine his investigation to one large marketing centre that proved most convenient to him and to which he could give the most time. Mr Timbs went via the Panama Canal, and he consequently found that Richmond, Virginia, was the stock centre in which he could gain first hand the greatest amount of undeniable information. As was anticipated, he found that the Union Stock Yards existed almost, i if not altogether, for the operations of the Big Four; that there wag a fair quantity of fat cattle and sheep on offer, and that the Big Four scooped the pool. Of course, it was known what would happen in that respect, but his surprise was to come later. In searching for a .butcher's shop he finally discovered that the butcher was extinct, crushed into oblivion by the Big Four; and he eventually found that meat was re'ailed to the consumer in ordinary stores much as bacon and cheese is retailed. Everything in the way of beef and veal is sold mostly in the. form of steak or mince, excepting, of course, such parts as could only be sold in the corned condition. Mr Timbs failed to ascertain what retailers paid the Big Four for the meat, but he conclusively satisfied himself that for beef they paid the farmer from threepence to sevenpence a pound for that they' had the conscience to sell to the public at from two shillings to half-a-crown a pound; veal going as high as two shillings and elevenpence per pound, and all these prices are for cash over :he counter. Without the cash the poorer classes can get no meat, while the farmer is nailed down to accepting up' to sixpence for his choice wether mutton, and from twopence-halfpenny to fivepence for ewes. It will be no ed, nevertheless, that chops and steak are all one price—two shillings and sixpence a pound to the public. By I simple calculation New Zealand farm- I ers can ascertain what they would received for their mutton if the Trust became dominant and the consumer paid one shilling a pound for it. Averagely. the Big Four are taking n profit of 500 per cent, therefore with a similar profit on meat retailed at one shilling a pound the farmer would receive from twopence to twopencehalfpenny. Of course the Trust, would find that such low prices did not pay them, and they would seek to lower those paid and increase those to the consumer. However, Ms Timbs is now thoroughly convinced that the Meat Trust is the greatest danger ■that is menacing progress in this country; it is a danger to both producer and consumer. Mr Timbs will have none of the Trust in any shape or form, and as he is both a farmer and an expert in Meat his investigations should be of considerable assistance in enabling farmers to make up their minds to have nothing to do with such an octopus. Shtan is posing at this moment as the best friend and saviour of the farmer in New Zealand, and it is astounding that there are modern Adams, as well as Eves, ready to swallow the subtleties and cunning that are dispensed for

■lie ensnarement of their souls and bodies. The. very bodies of farmers that have boasted most rfi'at they are able to cpduct their own business and to look after their own interests, are the very first to fall vie ims to the wiles of the Meat Trust, and to pass resolutions in inviting the Trust to take a in the control of their- meat_ The wiley Trust will tell farmers that what Mr Timbs discovered is all a mistake and', if needful, they will produce evidence to show "that Mr Timbs did not know what he was talking about, but farmers i n this part of the Wellington province know Mr Timbs as a very level-headed businessman, and a s oek and meat expert whose equal it would be difficult to find. He is a stockbuyer held in high esteem by the Wellington Meat Export Company, a man thoroughlj r equipped with the knowledge to enquire into and report upon stock and meat, in its progress' right from the paddock to the dinner table, • and he states unequivocally that 'he power and organisation or the Meat Trust is something for extreme dread by farmers and people. Meat production and distribution. i = the United States, constitute a great and impressive demonstration of what combination and concentration can accomplish in cutting down farmers' prices, and increasing prices to consumers to render possible the very highest profits to the Trust controllers. In these columns we have endeavoured to fairly convey to our readers what we have been able to glean from American publications, which include the report of investigations made by the United States Government, and Mr Timbs now verifies by his own personal efforts all we have stated. Mr Timbs' letter is well wor'h reading, and should be read nad considered by every farmer before he seriously listens to any proposal for granting a license to the Meat Trust that, will permit- the establishment of such conditions in New Zealand to those ,of the Trust Mr Timbs finds operating in the United States.