The Daily News. THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1917. THE GREED OF THE TRUSTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1917. THE GREED OF THE TRUSTS.

.Although much has been heard about the operations of the Meat Trust and the shipping ring, little has been done towards solving the vital problem of how best to counteract, if not effectively dispose of, the vampire tactics of these ''commercial Huns from the Chicago jungle." Now and again there have been spasmodic outbursts of indignant protests against trust methods and a demand for protection against their greed, but they still live and flourish, lattening on the proceeds of their transactions. Instead of the evil abating it is g-inir.g strength, and war conditions have played into the hands of these harpies who thrive on the inflated prices which are the result of monopolising trade by means of their vast capital. Mr. Lysnar, who has gone thoroughly into the exploitation tactics of the Trusts, asserts that commercial meat, as distinct from commandeered meat, has been allotted tonnage reserved for meat required for the safety of the Empire. If this is so, and if his figures are reliable, then it is evident that 011 the basis of a OOIh carcase, someone is benefiting to the extent of four pounds 011 every careaso of commercial meat that reaches the Motherland, or a profit of £400,000 for an average shipment. This reveals a most shocking state of a.Ciairi. as it shows that the shipping rings and meat trusts are combining to fleece the already overburdened people of Britain in a shameful and bare-faced manner. It is quite easy to see how these two rings join up forces for mutual gain. Meat in cold store in Britain can be and has been commandeered, so tbo Trust alters its tactics. Instead of risking Government claims on meat so stored, the Trust provided cold stores in New York and British-owned boats were employed to carry fvozen produce from Buenos Ay res to New York, where it was held up in cold store and afterwards re-exported to England, the same tactics being pursued with regard to wool, tallow, hides and other articles, absorbing still more tonnage for that purpose. The shipping companies hold' the key to the. position, anil they are quite. as eager for gain as the meat trusts. They can trade where ib pays them best, and in a time like the present charge what they like and impose what conditions they please. While the cold stores in New Zealand have been

Idled and killing had to cease, the vessels •which should have been available are oiliunvise employed in furthering the ends of tiie men octopm ana filling their own coffers. The marvel is that the exploitation has boon permitted. Are the Imperial and Dominion Governments afraid, or are they impotent to fight tliece combinesi Apparently the Argentine is the happy hunting ground of the Meat Trusts, and they have such a grip on the meat export trade there that tiioy own seventy per cent, of tho total, the rival companies,, on the outbreak of war, pooling their resources and sharing the profits. What these profits were is evidenced by the fact that the new monopoly resulted in a prompt lise of lUtv per cent, in meat prices, the Government weakly capitulating and the market promptly following. Jn lDlii the average for Argentine mutton, was fourpence and five-eighths per pound, 'while New Zealand was five pence and oneeighth, but in 1910 Argentine mutton went right ahead of New Zealand mutton, its averago price being nine pence as against eight pence farthing for New Zealand. To-day Argentine mutton is quoted at tenpence, lamb elevenpence, oi 1 more than a penny per pound higher than Now Zealand. Bearing in mind the trade war that must follow the military struggle, and having regard to the inserests of tho producers, a3 well as those of the importers and exporters of the Dominion, it is felt that the time has arrived for not only tho Government, but all those directly interested to tako steps to protect tneir interests from the hands of the ruthless monopolists. It has frequently been officially stated that the Meat Trust is not working in New Zealand. There is no truth in the assertion, for their buyers are at work actively, as most of the far-mer-owned meat companies know to their sorrow. As to the shipping, the process of absorption and monopolising is steadily making headway.. There is only one way to meet these commercial cormorants and that is by an organisation which will include the 'producers, the shippers and the transport services. Tiie time has arrived when the problem has to he solved, and the Government must he brought to recognise the evil

the first step to assisting with a lemeri}. U the werp actuated

tiie proper spirit of loyalty and determination to see this matter through they could do so successfully, provided the Government does its duty. It must be remembered that in tackling the task there will be the keenest wits to match and an unlimited money backing to cope v. ith, but it is a question of winning or bc-ln" out> and the latter is mtliinkable. /