MARKET FOR MEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1921, Page 5

MARKET FOR MEAT.

MANIPULATION SUSPECTED. NO INTERFERENCE TO BE TOLERATED. / Reference vas made in the House of Representst. >es on Monday to alleged manipulation of the market for New Zealand meat. Mr. O. J. Hawken (Egmont) said there seemed to be a grave suspicion throughout the country that, the market was being manipulated by certain big concerns for their own advantage. Cablegrams were being received, said Mr. Hawken, that were very difficult to understand. Would the Prime Minister make inquiries here and at Home, and if he found that there was more than a. suspicion, would the Government deal with the matter? The Prime Minister replied that tha Government would not hesitate for ei moment to deal with the matter, if it was found possible to improve on the present position. He assured the member that no one in New Zealand was more anxious than he to see an improvement in the present financial position, both with regard to the Government finances and the finances of private individuals. The prosperity of the country depended wholly on the producers* receiving satisfactory prices for their produce, and if there was any himlrance or interference on the part of anyoneprivate individual or trust—yit would be the duty of the Government to take the .miter jaJwjii