ARMOUR AND CO.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1921, Page 5

ARMOUR AND CO.

THE GOVERNMENT’S OFFER. “TURNED DOWN,” SAYS MR. MASSEY. “Prices of produce are low, but I do-t not believe that these prices are going; to continue,” said the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives. “They cannot continue, because they are below the cost of production.” Mr. Lysnar (Gisborne) remarked that meat prices would go lower unless something was done. Mr. Massey: You think that we should establish shops. Mr. Lysnar: Put the trusts out first. Mr. Massey said he was not in favor of trusts. He had opposed them all along. A difference had arisen recently between the New Zealand Government and Armour and Company in regard to the export of meat that the company had purchased in the Dominion. Mr. Lysnar: In defiance of the will of Parliament. Mr. Massey: My colleagues dealt with' the matter while I was away. I can tell the House that the Government offered Armour and Company an opportunity to ship their meat and get It on any market—America, the Continent,_ or anywhere else —on the understanding that they would not purchase any more meat without being in possession o-f an. export license. That offer so far has been turned down. It was quite a fair proposal. The company was to undertake not to operate here without the consent of the New Zealand Government. There is nothing to prevent the company buying our meat f.o.b.