FARM AMD STATION.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 14

FARM AMD STATION.

(Continued from page 7.)

The Christchurch Meat Company profess to be sorely exercised about some Th« remarks made in a letter by Mr Freights W. C. JBuchanar, M.H 11., in Question. the Wairarapa Standard ot September 24, and now circuUted presumably by either that gentleman or the Freight Committee. The statement is as follows :—" The aim of the Freight Committee fromlhe'fiffet was to combine wool, meat, and' dairy produce* and knowing full well that the Islington , and Belfast Fmzing Companies dealt with half the total meat output of New Zealand, and virtually held the key of the x freight question, I therefore at once interviewed both of these companies, pointing out all those facts, and ah o addressed meetings at Timaru and Dupedin." He then continued, •• Unfortunately, in the meantime the Islington Company, whose shares are largely held by the shipping companies, and regardless of other interest*, succumbed to the pfes&ure put upon them by the shipping companies, and accepted a five years/ 'can tract at a reduced rate, in lieu of the old one, which bad over a yeaf'to run." This statement was made on September 24, and on October 4 the managing director' of- the Christchurch Meat Company wrote to Blr Buchanan settiDg forth in contradiction some facts of general interest. Mr Anderson says that the shipping' companies do not hold, and never have held, a tingle share in the Christchurch Meat Company. Oat ot 71 share-bolders-in the company 49 aic fanmeivs. It is alleged that the meat 'company approached the Bhipping companies, and thab therefore no pressure could have been exercised by the latter. It is also stated that the saviog to the meat company's client* by the induction iv freights is equal to £80,000 for the unexpired period of the new contract. By circulating the letter nnder postmark dated 20th October Mr Buchanan is held to have repeated a statement which had been spec'fisally denied, x