THE MEAT POSITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1921, Page 12

THE MEAT POSITION.

DISCUSSION BY FARMERS’ UNION. APPRECIATION OF MR. MASSEY’S < SERVICES, I "- X ' At a meeting of the Wellington Provincial Exwutive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, held at Marton on Saturday, the fall in prices of meat for export, and. the difficulties of securing insulated space to take the meat away, were discussed. On behalf of the Waverley branch, Mr. G. McGregor amoved; “That a deputation from the union wait on the Prime Minister at the earliest possible moment with reference to the urgent meat and shipping questions.” The following resolution, which had been carried by the Wanganui Sub-provincial Executive, was taken conjointly: “That the executive make inquiries re the continuous drop in the prices of stock, and as to whether the companies were justified in reducing prices to what they had done.” In speaking to the motions, Mr. G. Marshall stated that these important matters had been gone into fully by the Producers’ Committee, which had conferred with the Prime Minister and the officers of the Agricultural Department. He stressed the fact that strenuous times were facing the producer, and pointed out tljat Mr. Massey and his Departmental officers were doing all they could tn relieve the situation. He said that vested interests in the shipping and frozen meat industries in England were seriously interfering with the exports from New Zealand, and the position in the Dominion at the present time was a most serious one for the farmer. The losses on stock which had to be sold to meat financial liabilities, and the tightening up of the banks, as well as the fact that they were unable to get the frozen meat shipped, were materially affecting all farmers. The Government was fully alive to the situation, and he did not know that they as farmers could do any more than give it all the assistance and support possible. Mr. W. J. Polson (president) endorsed the remarks as to the splendid work both the Prime Minister and the Agricultural Department were doing in endeavoring to relieve the stiuation. He strongly urged farmers to freeze their stock on their own account. The resolutions were carried. Mr. Polson then moved “That the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union places on record, and desires to thank the Prime Minister (Mr. Massey) for his valuable services and recent efforts towards the reduction of shipping and hopes that he will succeed in getting the increased shipping to enable more free meat to be got away; and also influence the Meat Controller in London to prevent the continual depreci. ation of the market by Imperial-owned meat.” This was carried unanimously. The following resolution was also carried : “TIW in view of the present difficulty of disposing of the primary products of the Dominion, and the consequent impossible prices to be obtained, the Prime Minister be asked whether any scheme can be devised to protect the. producer against arbitrary calls on the part of financial institutions (by means of the moratorium or otherwise), such calls can only be met by the sacrifice of the means of production.”