MEAT EXPORTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 127, 11 March 1939, Page 5

MEAT EXPORTS.

EFFECT OF THE RESTRICTIONS. FARMERS’ FEARS EXPRESSED. (Per Press Association). DUNEDIN, March 11. Ttye contention that unless farmers organised promptly ! to meet the situation that would arise when the recently imposed restriction on meat exports became noticeable, there was a grave danger of privately dealing in meat being at the least very seriously reduced, was made, by the Dominion president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (Mr w. W. Mulholland) in an address at. the Farmers’ Union conference at Balclutha, to-night. Mr Mulholland assured the farmers present that there was nothing to be gained from leaving the matter to the politicians. “This year the restrictions will probably not be felt,” Mr Mulholland said, “but when you remember that our quota is 3 .per cent, less than the figure for one of our worst seasons for a long time it will bo seen that we need only to have a normal .production season and we will feel it badly. “There will be meat produced that will not be able to find a market. It is nothing to get into a panic about. It is something for us to do something about, and not leave to the politicians. “We have lately had the spectacle of two politicians arguing about what one of them said in 1933, but we are not interested in that. What wo want to know is what is going to happen in 1940.” -If unsaleable meat were allowed to go on the market it -would inevitably reduce the price for all classes of meat. Mr Mulholland said, but how was it to 'bo ‘taken off the market ? Farmers had until next season to think out a plan, and if they had not their plan ready to go into operation immediately the crisis came something would have to bo done and it would be done by the Minister for Marketing. Fanners the choice of making such - arrangements as would enable them to keep control or giving control to the Government. The Meat Board had a grave weakness' in that there were several members who represented interests other than farmers, and those interests would fight tooth and nail to maintain their business, making an unbiased decision impossible.

The grave danger was that private dealing in moat would be abolished, or at the least very seriously reduced.