THE MEAT POOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 January 1922, Page 5

THE MEAT POOL.

MR. NOSVVORTHY SPEAKS OUT. AGAINST HOSTILE PROPAGANDA TO PREJUDICE PRODUCERS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Jan. 7. In an interview to-day, the Hon. W. Noswtorthy (Minister {of AgricultArre) said it was regrettable that there should have been introduced into the present controversy regarding the proposed meat pool, by certain interests opposed to it, methods which are not of this country. A great deal of money, estimated from at between £BO and £lOO per day, is apparently being spent in hostile P r °* pa<»anda throughout the Dominion, and, while no doubt from their own point of view this action may be considered justifiable for the protection of their interests, there can be no defence whatever for the circulation of incorrect information, the object of which can only be to mislead and predispose the minds of the producers before their representatives have met to hear the, scheme outlined by the promoters. The country can be congratulated, continued the Minister, on having a Press which will only permit such propaganda to occupy its columns as advertisement matter, which enables readers better to judge of its specious nature. I cannot deal in detail with the wrong statements appearing, because they vary according to the localities in which they appear, but, in reference to one thing said, I deny absolutely that the Goveenment has been telegraphing the conveners of district meetings to keep out anybody who can give information about the scheme, or that the Government has any motive in the action which it has taken other than to endeavor to help the producers to help themselves, and place this great branch of the Dominion’s primary industries —one of the finest produce, exporting industries m the world—on the best possible footing.