THE MEAT POOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1922, Page 5

THE MEAT POOL.

OBJECTS EMPHASISED. PLAN TO PROTECT PRODUCERS. COUNTER TO THE TRUSTS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The following important statement was made to-day by the Minister of Agriculture: “Communications have reached me from farmers in various districts which indicate that a risk exists , of misapprehensions arising as the result of the over zealous efforts of those associated with interests which have thought fit to oppose the meat pool proposals. It is necessary once more to make clear to producers that these proposals are made wholly and solely in their interests and that, as pointed out by the Prime Minister, the pool will be a producers’ pool, controlled by them and managed, on ( their behalf by the best business men obtainable.

“There was never a time in the history of the Dominion when so great a necessity existed for all the producers to come together and act with one mind and with one object in safeguarding their own interests against the encroachments of the trusts, whose aim is to secure control, directly or indirectly, of the meat which is produced through the labor and enterprise of our farmers. The pool proposals, providing as they do one centrol producers’ controlling body and one seller only of New Zealand meat, would afford a greater measure of protection than anything else. “It is particularly noticeable that the only criticism which so far has come to light is of a destructive nature, and that no one has been able to put forward any suggestions for improvem ?nt, or for any alternative scheme which will afford protection to the producers’ interests which the present day position demands. Petitions are being circulated for signature by farmers asking for the right to sell their stock how and when they please. The proposal f or the sale of stock on the hook by farmers has been and is being fully considered and pending fhe elaboration of all the working details farmers would be well advised not to sign the petitions, seeing that they may be described as flank attacks upon the stronghold of the producers’ interest, which the pool is intended to establish. “The Government is desirous of having the whole question fully and frankly discussed, with full consideration for every aspect of it, but one definite principle—safeguarding the producers of the Dominion against aggression from powerful outside organisations —must never be lost sight of or allowed to be clouded by side issues. There should be no misapprehension of the position—the producers must either come together for their own protection, or place themselves, so far as the export meat trade is concerned, at the mercy of outside trusts. The matter is in their hands* With a united body of producers behind it the Government will be in a position to act strongly and decisively.”

MASTERTON’S APPROVAL.

Masterton, Last Nig“it. A meeting of 300 farmers, representing every ’part of the district, passed a resolution in favor of the meat pool to-day, and appointed delegates to attend the conference at Wellington.

NORTH CANTERBURY VIEW’S.

Christchurch, Jan. 4. A meeting of North Canterbury farmers lengthily discussed the meat pool proposals. A motion was carried expressing the opinion that the time had arrived when a forward movement should be made to conserve the interests of producers and heartily approving of anything which may be done in connection with the meat pool which would be in the interests of producers.