The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1922. MARKETING FROZEN MEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1922. MARKETING FROZEN MEAT.

The newly appointed Meat Producers’ Board appears to be entering on its duties with commendable energy, its initial effort being directed to laying down the foundations of a sound, progressive policy. In the light of the conditions 'affecting this trade, as indicated by statements from London in January last, as published in our issue of Monday, it is evident there is ample scope for protecting the interests of the Dominion producers. While these statements contain no fresh particulars of the adverse circumstances under which New Zealand frozen meat suffers, they emphasise the need for providing the remedies that are urgently required to be instituted in the methods now existing. Once more attention is drawn to the waste oftime and expense in the collection of cargo from widely separated ports of the Dominion, and to the- multiplicity of marks, among the instances given being a bill of lading covering 248 pieces, bearing seventy-three different marks. The contention that probably not one producer got the slightest extra benefit, from having his produce specially branded is probably quite true, hence the waste of time and labor occasioned by such a system penalises the trade generally. It is satisfactory to learn that ithe Meat Producers’ Board has already conferred with the representatives of the Shipping Companies on this matter, and discussed the possibility of an early reduction in certain rates of freight by the adoption of improved methods of loading in the Dominion. The Home Board of Trade has moved in a similar direction not only in relation to loading, but also as to discharging meat cargoes, so as to ameliorate existing conditions. It is admitted, however, that the lack of accommodation storage in London needs immediate attention in order to prevent vessels being held up, whereby the cost of transport is adversely affected, and butter and cheese, stored below the meat cargoes are held up to the detriment of the dairy produce market. There is a still more important factor that is affecting the producers, namely, the Prices obtainable for their meat. In this connection some interesting information is given in one of the statements referred to, which says:— “There is still a good supply of mutton available (in January), but.' practically all of it. as well as of lamb, is in the hands of four or five firms, one at least of which is generally known to be a member of a socalled trust. It is probable that two of the firms are the owners of mul-

tiple shops, whose numbers run into thousands, and in view of the new season’s meat not being due for another six weeks, they have put a check on selling operations so that their retail shops shall not suffer.”

This is the crux of the whole difficulty the producers have to face, and its- magnitude is such that a solution of the matter has been sought so far without result. A monopoly controlled by unlimited capital, and practically having the world’s export meat trade under its thumb, presents a barrier to the producers’ interests that is almost unbearable. It is this handicap which needs removal, but how it is to be accomplished is beyond conjecture, unless a more powerful combine, is formed that can fight and overcome the monopolists with their own weapons. 'The British Government might do good service to Empire producers were it not that the fetish of free trade intervenes, for the life of a Government which restricted the importation of foodstuffs, and made them dearer, would not be worth a moment’s purchase. It can hardly be expected the Meat Board will succeed in overcoming- this barrier, but it may be able to do something in that direction.