The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1919. THE MEAT EXPORT CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1919. THE MEAT EXPORT CRISIS.

The near approach of the new sea- ( son of the Dominion's meat export trade, the large quantity of frozen meat now in store here, the restricted service of refrigerated vessels, the heavy stocks of American and New Zealand meat in store in Britain, the approaching termination of the British commandeer and the operations of the American Meat Trust in placing the Dominion producers at an unfair disadvantage formed the theme of a representative deputation of producers which waited on the Premier and Sir Joseph "Ward on Saturday last. It was generally admitted that the position as regards .the meat industry was one of anxiety, and that the shipping position was serious, being accentuated by the cost of replacing ! steamers, though it .might, be only a temporary crisis that would right itself on the return to normality, but it, was also evident that prompt, active and organised efforts were needed to restore conditions that would give the producers a satisfactory market and system of distribution. According to a cable which Mr. Massey sent since his return to the Dominion, through the Governor-General, to the British Board of Trade, there were approximately eight million sixty-pound carcases of meat in the freezing stores throughout the Dominion awaiting shipment, for which the Imperial Government is paying very large sums for storage, the rate probably amounting to not less than a million sterling per annum. Mr. Marshall pointed out that New Zealand meat was bought by the British Government early in the war at a fair price, but that American meat was bought late, at a high rate of about fourteen pence per pound. Mr. Poison stated there were ten million carcases in store at Home, and the Imperial Government had another ten million carcases to lift from America, to which had to be added about ten million in New Zealand, making thirty million carcases before next season's killing. He asserted that if the position were not improved, the freezing companies would refuse to buy meat, but would freeze it and hold it at producers' charges, and he put forward a suggestion that, the Imperial Government should be asked to sell New Zealand meat without loss or profit to itself, and that the necessity should be impressed of getting rid of American meat if possible, also that when the commandeer ceased next June, preferential shipment of Imperial meat should ceas», thereby relieving the position to some extent. In Mr. Massey's reply the shipping aspect of the question loomed large, but it would seem that mainly affects the storage capacity of the Dominion until next June, and does not,, except incidentally, have an important bearing on the main grievances of the Dominion producers, who are yearning for an open market under normal conditions. Naturally they are anxious to have the stores cleared to make room for the new season's meat, but in view of the fact that there are thirty million careases already being held for British consumers, it, would seem that some time must elapse before the Dominion producers can expect to dispose of their frozen meat as before the war. That the producers have a legitimate grievance against the Imperial Government over the preferential treatment of American meat is obvious, and Mr. Massey has plainly put this before the Home authorities. He demonstrated the position thus: Comparing the landed cost of New Zealand meat in Britain with that of America there was a difference of fourpenee or fourpence halfpenny in favor of New Zealand (B|d or 9d to 1/1), and taking 155,000 tons at fourpenee, the increased cost would be £5,786,666, and at fourpenee halfpenny £6,510,000. It, is evident that owing to the rationing regulations and the high price of meat, the British consumers have largely meat eating, but the largi stores in hand cannot fail to affect the demand for New Zealand meat in the near future. Thj loss of nineteen refrigerate*}..steamers in the meat carrying trade obviously affects the'situation so far as concerns the clearing the stores in the Dominion, for unless there be room for the new season's produce the freezing companies will be unable to buy, and this will seriously affect the prosperity of the pro.lir' crs. In 1914 there were 99 steamers with a carcase capacity of 8,000,000, but last. June there were only 52 steamers with a. capacity of 3,900,000 carcases. Sir Joseph Ward does not consider that New meat is going to fall outside this country, but he is of opinion that America will have a big pull, though he is convinced that the Americans are not going to get a grip on the Dominion's meat trade so long as we keep ths freezing works. Both Ministers warmly supported the proposal of the producers to send Home a committee, with the official appro-

val of the Government, to go thoroughly into all matters concerning the meat trade. It would seem advisable to take that step, and, if possible, to secure New Zealand meat being placed on the market separately from American produce, and at the price paid by the Imperial Government. At the same time .the Dominion producers should face the probability of having to provide for largely increased freezing space. The prime needs of our producers are more refrigerated tonnage, the clearance of British stocks by reducing the price so as to increase consumption, and a satisfactory system of distribution. They have undoubtedly a strong claim on the Home Government for generous treatment, and that claim should be pressed for all it is worth, to enable the producers to tide over their present difficulties.