THE MEAT POOL

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1922, Page 5

THE MEAT POOL

PROVISIONS OF BILL EXPLAINED. SCHEME FINANCED BY LEVY. i POWER TO CONTROL TRADE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the House this evening the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Bill was introduced by Governor-General’s message. The measure confers power on a board to control the meat export trade of the country. The Prime Minister explained that this measure provided the legislation necessary for setting up what had come to be known as the meat pool. The clauses were mostly of a machinery character, but a few were important.

The Bill would set up a board of seven members, five representing the producers and two the Government, to look after the interests of the producers at both ends—here and at Home. The board’s functions would be to secure the marketing of meat to the best advantage in England, and to keep down the cost of’ production in New Zealand; also to arrange freights, and generally to facilitate transport and marketing.

Clause ten was the most important in the Bill, outlining the powers of the board. Whether it would be necessary to exercisa those powers to the full extent remained to be seen. If necessary the board might assume the absolute control of the meat trade if any movement was started in the trade that was antagonistic to the interests of the producers. Mr. Massey added that the board would have power to raise the money rc-uired to carry on its operations by way of a small percentage levied on the meat handled. Only one or two men would be paid directly by the Government, and he believed the board’s work would be conducted at a very small cost. Power was given under clause seventeen for the State to extend the financial guarantee to transactions supervised by the board, if found necessary at any time by reason of the banks being unable temporarily to finance the producers while their meat was waiting to be marketed. What amount might be required could not be stated at present, but provision was necessary to enable the board to deal with any circumstances that might arise. The board would come into partial operation immediately the Bill was passed, but the Prime Minister did not expect a full working would be required until next season. The measure would not affect the present conditions of competition for stock, as the board’s control would not begin until the meat in the works was ready for export.

The Bill was read a first time, and Mr. Massey, in reply to questions, said he would probably ask the House to take the second reading to-morrow-