THE MEAT TRUST.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 127, 29 May 1918, Page 6

THE MEAT TRUST.

KETAXIATTVE PROPOSALS. FARMERS' CONFERENCE DECISIONS. The operations of the Meat Trust as it affects New Zealand, and recommendations to combat the came, were dealt with, both in remits and by Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Cisborne) at the Farmers' Union Conference yesterday. In moving the adoption of the remits, ten in number, Mr. Lyenar said that the Trust had got a stranglehold of the United States meat trade in 1900, and in 1907 they -had practically secured dominating control of the Argentine trade. Now they were turning their attention to New Zealand it was up to them to guard them off. The main object of the Conference now was to have the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on the matter given effect to, and lie was able to state that the leaders of the House had promised to see that the necessary legislation would be provided, but they would have to watch and see that it -was sufficiently complete. He went on to deal with facts showing that the distribution of meat was unsatisfactory by the authorities placing it in the hands of persons interested in the trade. He also strongly denounced the action of some of the meat agents succeeding in getting Lord Rhondda to continue the nomination system which the Farmers' Union had disapproved of, and he (Lord Rhondda) had decided to do away with. Thi3 nomination system, he Baid, enabled the Meat Trust representatives, who were interested in Argentine meat as well, to get a large portion of their (New Zealand) meat, and they then dictated to the trade at Home: "We will not give you any New Zealand meat unless you take co many carcases of Argentine meat."

Reverting to the question of the control of shipping, Mr. Lysnar said the shortage of ehrpping, which had been bad eince the start of the war, was not due to the submarine, but to loose control of their shipping, which enabled a large portion of it to be diverted for other than war purposes. He urged them to pass the resolutions and be vigilant when they went home.

In supporting the motion by Mr. Lysnar, Mr. McGregor, of Hamilton, said that New Zealand meat was being retailed out to consumers at much greater prices than the producers were getting, and the consumers were led to believe that it was the producers wio were bleeding them. He urged them to stand shoulder to shoulder in the matter.

The remite were passed nnanimonsly. They urge that legislation be made to protect the dangers of the meat and shipping truets; that inquiry should be made, as recommended by the Parliamentary Committee; also disapproving of the meat agents , action in getting Lord Rhondda to reverse, his decision to discontinue nominations, and protesting against the meat representatives controlling the distribution of meat; also againet the manner in which shipping ie controlled, and suggesting payment on the hooks for meat.