PRICE OF MEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 258, 10 April 1915, Page 2

PRICE OF MEAT.

CONFERENCE HELD. COMMITTEE ,SET UP. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchureh, Last Night. A eonferenoe took place this afternoon bcUeen the Prime Minister and repre. sentatxves of freezing companies, exporter* and meat producers, on the subject of shipment ol frozen meat, and the price pawl by exporters and . freezing companies to the farmers. There was a uuge attendance. The Prime Minister prefaced his remarks by saying that the conference had not been arranged by him, but he understood that its object was to discuss the state of affairs that was causing a grievance among the Canterbury producers of meat, and to try and arrive at a remedy, if possible. He had been led to understand that a great many Canterbury farmers felt that the meat exporters and freezing companies were taking an unfair advantage of the conditions of > trade imposed by the war, and the shortage of space and shipping,! to the detriment of the producer, who was being forced to take a lower price for his stock than the values alto wed by the Imperial Government warranted. "That is a feeling," continued Mr. Mas. sey, "that should not be allowed to exist, and it should be removed if it can be done, with the least possible delay." The subsequent proceedings were not open to the press, but as the result of the discussion it was agreed that ex. porters and producers should meet in/ conference and fix the price per pound in the works over all. A committee was set up to go into the matter, consisting of Sir George ■Clifford (chairman), noipresentlnj; tflie farmers; C. H. Elisor, G. W. Leadley; and A. Boyle, representing the exporters; A. b'iiimis, W. F. Murrar, and 11. F. Xiohol.