EXPORTS OF N.Z. MEAT

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28128, 17 November 1956, Page 12

EXPORTS OF N.Z. MEAT

“Open Door” Clause

Of Act

FARMERS URGED TO SELL ON OWN ACCOUNT

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 16.

About 85 per cent, of the meat exported from New Zealand was handled by about five big firms, a British meat importer, Mr N. C. Poultney. said today.

"They are almost monopolies,” ne gaid, “and the trouble with monopolies is that they tend to become cartels.”

He said that, in their own interests. New Zealand farmers should ship more meat on their own account to the independent British importers who ■old on commission.

Mr Poultney is general manager of Henry S. Fitter and Sons, Ltd., of London, one of the firms which in 1882 handled the first shipment of frozen meat dispatched from New Zealand. “We believe,” he said, “that we are the only firm still in existence which handled meat from that shipment of 75 years ago.” Mr Poultney said the Australian meat export trade was not concentrated in nearly so few hands as the New Zealand trade.

“Those responsible for framing the New Zealand Meat Act of 1922 wrote in an ‘open door’ clause which allows the producer to export on his own account,” he said, “and that means that he does not need to accept as final and irrevocable the schedule price offered him by the big operators.”

Mr Poultney said he thought that the system of grading New Zealand frozen meat could be improved to the national advantage. The general-aver-age-quality grade was too wide. There ihould be a premium grade—one which would attract for freezing carcases of chiller quality.