THE MEAT TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1919, Page 5

THE MEAT TRADE.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER, , DIFFICULTIES OF SHIPPING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, August 15. A deputation representing the Farmers' Union, A. and P. associations, freezing companies and other producing organisations waited upon the Prime Minister and other Miristers to-day with reference to the position of New Zealand meat production and export. Speakers pointed out there were seven million carcases now in store, and we were within five months of the next season. The deputation thought everything possible had been done from this end, but they were not satisfied that more could not be done at the other end. Tkey suggested that if New Zealand meat were sold separately at Home, instead of being pooled with American, it could be sold more quickly, and the pooling position was unfair to the New Zealand meat trade now and in future. The danger was now that the commandeer would end with a large quantity of Imperial meat in store, and that would have to be shipped before the free meat could be got away, and, in consequence, the freezing companies would Tefuse to buy and bear the expense of storage, thus leaving the way open for the operation of the American Meat Trust. The deputation suggested that a committee of producers be sent Home to place matters before the authorities. Mr. Massey, replying, gave an exhaustive explanation of the shipping position and the difficulties which faced the Imperial Government, also the efforts made to obtain relief of the present position. He quite agreed with the suggestion that ( a committee should go Home, as it would enable it to obtain a full insight as to the difficulties of the trade. The position now was not so bad as some thought. By the end of the year it was hoped the meat in store would be reduced to four million carcases, so that the accumulation at the end of the commandeer would not be so great as expected. He also agreed that New Zealand meat should be sold separately at Home. Sir Joseph Ward said the position was gone into exhaustively at the Imperial Conference, and it was greatly to be regretted that the debates there could not bo published. He pointed out that the difficulty arose- from the loss of refrigerating steamers. They were now short of 47 steamers, with a capacity of 3,900,000 carcases, on pre-war shipping. The position was being improved, but he thought it might be necessary to obtain an extension of the commandeer until tho shipping position was clearer. Mr. Massey Raid lie expected no difficulty in arranging witli the Imperial authorities that when tho commandeer ended the new season's meat should be shipped at the same time as tho remainder of the Imperial meat. PROFIT OF 3d PER POUND. POSITION AT END OF COMMANDEER IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT MAY INCREASE TRICE. Sir Joseph Ward said there was no foundation for the report that the stores in the United Kingdom were full. He expressed astonishment that the Imperial authorities had not permitted publication of the reports of tho Imperial Conference of last year. The reports and documents laid before the conference would contain everything the deputation ought to know. The delegates drew out the fact that a profit of threepence per pound was being made on the transfer of New Zealand meat from one British department to another department. Mr. Massey and himself made a very strong protest regarding thi? profit, which was being used to balance the rery high prices the Imperial Government was paying for American meat. When the present contract with th<) Imperial Government expired the 'stores would be half full of meat. If and exporters could freedom, then with enough ships to carry on their own business under competitive conditions they would be far better off than they could be under Government restrictions. They would be able to get better prices than they would get under tho commandeer system, but there would be trouble to be faced when the Government contract ended. The stores would contain some four million carcases of meat belonging to the British Government, and.it was not likely the British Government would allow meat that had come fresh into the stores to receive shipping space ahead of the meat that had accumulated; yet if the storage space and shipping were not available for stock that would come along in tho ordinary course in the following season there would be a fall in the value of sheep throughout the Dominion, and this fall would interfere with industry and finance in every direction. He would not be surprised if in the meantime tho British Government had to make another and higher offer for New Zealand meat in order to bridge over the period before normnl conditions could he restored. He thought New Zealand should continue to make representations to the Imperial fioverpment and try to get the works free in'time for next season. Tho Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald said full inquiry had., been made by his officers into the allegation that Austrrtlin was being better treated than New Zealand. Australia had no advantage worth mentioning, except on account of prefer: pnee given to beef over mutton nnd lamb. The Imperial Government wanted beef first and all the time.