AMERICAN MEAT TRUST.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 155, 30 June 1916, Page 7

AMERICAN MEAT TRUST.

IS IT OPERATING HERE ? PREMIER REASSURES PARLIAMENT. HOW OUR MEAT EXPORT IS CONTROLLED. <By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Mr Wilford drew the Prime Minister's attention this afternoon to an article in a TaTanaki newspaper stating that a buyer for tlic American Meat Trust was operating in Taranaki, and hud within the past fortnight purchased about 800 bead of fat cattle. Mr Wilford added: "I quite realise that the control of shipping is the only thing which is going to control the American 'Meat Trust in this country. I should like the Premier |to say whether, considering our allies and Great Britain itself require every bit of meat we can spare, this matter is worth looking into." Mr Massey: I should be very glad to look into it, but I can say to members that what goes out of this country, no matter by whom consigned, goes to the Imperial Board of Trade. All meat suitable for Army purposes the Government takes, while all surplus is placed on the London market by the Board of Trade. The Premier went on to say that if the American Trust were operating in New Zealand, then it did not have tbe very slightest advantage over the humblest farmer and producer in New Zealand. Mr Wilford: What does that mean! Mr Massey: It means they are all on an equal footing. Mr 'Malcolm: Except that tho American .Meat Trust has more money. Mr Massey replied that it was" not a question of money, as there was no scarcity of that for the purchase of meat. He went on to say that a number of cablegrams on the subject of the disposal of the surplus meat had passed between himself and the High Commissioner and the.Board of Trade, and when the Minister of Finance and himself reached London he hoped to become more fully acquainted with the position. Up to January last the Board of Trade informed him no profit had been made. Since then, however, he believed some profit had accrued. Mr Witty: What docs the Board of Trade do with the profit? Mr Massey: It is their profit, and I liave no doubt it will be utilised in the ordinary way. The Board of Trade I should explain, is really part of the Imperial Government. I am bound to say that, speaking generally. the Board of Trade has treated New Zealand and New Zealand producers very well indeed