FARMERS COMPLAIN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 250, 31 March 1915, Page 3

FARMERS COMPLAIN

BEEF PRODUCERS DEPUTATTOXTSE THE PREMIER.

Wellington, Monday.

A deputation of beef producers from the Manawatu and Rangitikei districts waited on the Prime Minister to-day and made known grievances they considered they had against freezing companies, by whom the producers declared they were being exploited. They also considered that they had a grievance against the Government regarding the representation of farmers at the recent conference on the Imperial meat supply scheme.

Mr. Massey replied that the conference was called not to consider the prices °ji meat, but the shortage of shipping. Later, when the Imperial authorities requisitioned for all exportable meat, the matter was referred to the same conference, at which twelve farmers were present. Mi. Goring Johnston complained that tlie freezing eompanies were now offering less for Beet since t,he schedule of prices had come out. He thought that anything that may be gained, as between what the Imperial authorities

paid and the farmers received, the Go: vernment and not tlie" freezing companies should benefit. This difference in some cases was as much as JEI a head for fat cattle.

Mr. Massey said the whole trouble had arisen through shortage of ships owing to the war, but the Xew Zealand Government had managed to secure enough shipping space to handle the exports to the end of February, and one million more carcases of sheep had been .despatched than in the same period of last year. This month, however, enough shipping space, had not been available.. He thought the mistake was made at the beginning of the war, through not increasing the freights.