SURPLUS MEAT PROFITS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 242, 10 October 1916, Page 7

SURPLUS MEAT PROFITS.

WHO SHOVES GET THEM 7 GOVERNMENT, SPECULATOR OR FARMER; AUCKLAND FARMERS TO CONFER. Following upon the recent meeting of farmers and graziers in the South Island to disc-use the question of the alleged difference between the prices paid fon j .commandeered meat from different parts of the Empire, and of the big discrepancy between the price paid for New Zealand meat by the Government and that at •which the public purchase any surplus which is released at Home, the Auckland Farmers' L'nion executive will meet •specially on Thursday to discuss the situation. Tlie attitude of the fanners in the Auckland province, as interpreted by Major D. H. Lusk, vice-president of the Auckland Farmers' Union, is that, far (from being unpatriotic and anxious to reap unduly hiyli profits at the expense of the Imperial Government and the people of the Home country, they are perfectly willing to bear their full share of any contributions required to carryon the war, and they ask that objections they are forced to raise to the methods by 'which the principle of commandeering meat is applied shall not be construed as lack of patriotism. For instance, they believe they are fully justified in discussing the questions raised from time to time as to the alleged difference of price received by the farmers of Australia and ■New Zealand. It was only natural, contended Major Lusk, that the farmers should ask to he treated in the same manner as those of Australia or any other part of the Empire. Australian meat wan realising a halfpenny a pound more than the New Zealand output, although the latter was generally recognised as being superior. "We are not raising any row about it, but we would like to be put on a really equitable basis," added Major Lusk. With regard to the discrepancy between the exporting and retail prices in London of commandeered Now Zealand meat, 3lajor Lusk pointed out that for some reason which the farmers bad not Ibeen able to fathom "released" meat— i.e., the meat which the Imperial Government did not require for war purpose.?, and wa» sold to the public—was being sold in London at nearly double the price it cost to land in London. The farmers were quite willing to sell at the present price provided any benefit that accrued •from the resale went to the Government or to the publje at Home, but when, as at present, there was a huge inflation after the meat left the hands of the Government's accredited agents, in spite of the fact that the retail price was sttppoaed to be regulated, they had a suspicion that the speculator was exploiting the public. With regard to the decision of the Christchurch meeting last week to ask for another penny a pound—a decision •which the Timaru farmers have refused to endorse—Major Lusk said he could •not forecast what the Auckland farmers would do. but he knew tliat the whole of the executive and the farmers generally were willing that the Government should make a profit, and in the main ■were satisfied with the prices, but they, wanted to guard against the inflation of the price at the other end by the speculator.