THE MEAT POOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1922, Page 5

THE MEAT POOL.

COMMITTEE PREPARING DETAILS. LONDON OFFERS HELP. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The committee set up in connection with the meat producers’ pool sat again to-day considering the essential details of the scheme, especially in regard to those points upon which advice will require to be tendered to the Government so far as necessary legislation is concerned. The committee have found already that certain freezing companies are prepared to fall in with the scheme, realising the advantage that will accrue from improved methods of selling. It is stated there have been some very encouraging experiences in this respect.

The chairman of the committee, Mr. D. Jones, M.P., pointed out to-day that even at this early stage much has been accomplished towards directly .improving the trade for producers. In the past the trade at Home had been exceedingly unsatisfactory owing largely to diverse interests operating in marketing, but now the Government had received a communication which indicated that a reduction in charges at the London end was under consideration. An agreement had also been arrived at with the freezing companies under which complete control would be given to the proposed board in regard to making future freight agreements. Shipping contracts had been one of the greatest difficulties to contend with in the past. The v.alue of the new arrangement would be understood best by those who had had this matter to handle. Further, in the formation being obtained, at an early date negotiations would be opened with the shipping companies to see if certain specific improvements could not be made which would confer benefit all round, and should bring about a reduction in freight charges. Another agreeable experience was that certain interests at London, so far from exhibiting antagonism, were prepared to do business directly with the proposed board. The Prime Minister had received cablegrams from prominent firms in the meat trade in London offering to assist financially or in any other way possible. An offer was now being considered, and further data had been asked for by the committee in regard to important aspects of the scheme. The committee adjourned its deliberations this afternoon till Tuesday week to enable this information to be obtained.