THE MEAT COMMANDEER.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1919, Page 4

THE MEAT COMMANDEER.

NO DECISION MADE YET. A PECULIAR POSITION. , < OTHER COUNTRIES BEFORE NIVB ZEALAND. (By Wire.—Own Correspondent.) v Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Massey told the House to-day that he had received a cablegram from tho High Commissioner in reply to liL) inquiry as to whether or not the Imperial Government was willing to extend the purchase of meat from New Zealand. He. had not asked for an extension, but had merely inquired if the Imperial authorities were willing to extend it. The reply read: "The Board of Trade states that attention is being given to the matter. It must be considered in relation to negotiations now .proceeding for tho renewal of River Plate contracts and the proposed extension of the Australian contract. When these negotiations and proposals have reached a stage nearer settlement the Board of Trade will discuss the question with the Ministry of Food and will communicate with you and His Majesty's Government."

Mr. Maßgey said he did know New Zealand should be pleased at the position indicated by the cablegram. He would cable asking for a definite reply at the 1 earliest possible moment.

| Sir Joseph Ward remarked tl*t it 'Australia had an arrangement and ifew Zealand had none the position would; be serious. The British Government wwld control the shipping, and would lift its own meat from Australia in preference to free meat from New Zealand. Aim* tralia was bargaining for a price £d per pound higher than was being pud to New Zealand now.

Mr. Massey said he had: emphasised tho same point in discussing tSie meat pur* .chase. He had found difficulty in making some people understand the danger. If New Zealand had no arrangement with the Mother Country for the purchase <u meat and other produce there would* be far greater difficulty in getting the sttiff to the markets than there was at the present time.

Sir Joseph Ward: It would be ruinous.

Mr. Massey: I think the British Government and the Food Control Department should be made clearly to understand that we are not going to take a secondary position to either of the other countries mentioned. We want at least as good a price in comparison to those couutries as we have had. In the past we have received a slightly better price than Australia or the Argentine. It is admitted that our meat is better than the meat of either of the other two countries. I am afraid that many' of _ the producers do not realise tho seriousness of the position that may arise if we are left out of the arrangements made with the Argentina and Australia.