THE MEAT PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1915, Page 2

THE MEAT PROBLEM.

EFFORTS TO lIELIEVK COLONIAL STOCK. SAiLE OF MEAT SATISFACTORY.^ By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received June 23,' 5 p.m.: London, June 22. Replying to Mr. Thome's questions in the House of Commons, Mr. Runciman | said the Government was making every J effort to remove the accumulation of i stocks of meat in Australia and New Zealand as quickly as possible. Two ! vessels "had been' sent to New Zealand at the Imperial Government's expense to relieve |tho situation. Some refrigerating vessels were being used as store ships at ports where the . cold storage was insufficient, but not at London, The Government was neither asking nor ■fixing the price of meat,' which'was being sold on commission according to the ordinary market practice. ' MV. Thome askcil if the Advisory Committee had- drawn up a scheme for I the sale of commandeered meat without regard to the nation £ needs, but; solely to retain certain firms' control ovier certain brands. . Mr. Runciniau said the question involved (.'barges qf ai grave .breach of I public ..duty the Hon. ThoS. Mac- I keiwie (High Commissioner for New I Zealand) and Sir T. B, Robinson | (Agcnt-fteneral for Queensland)! w -l |o J ■'•were distinguished public ''serVapts of unquestioned probity. Mr. Rurtciman I was satisfied that sjr Montague Ncl- j son's business interspts did not preclude I him fr6m giving independent advice. No 'complaints had been made to 1 the! Board 'of\Tradc about the .way tlie sajlcs of meat were conducted, and the market was satisfied with the arrangements. The Australian and New Zealand Governments assented to the procedure.