Amendment To Meat Export Bill Proposed

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29021, 9 October 1959, Page 13

Amendment To Meat Export Bill Proposed

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 8. Some meat exporting companies feared that the Meat Exiwrt Control Amendment Bill would enable the Meat Board to get into a market to the detriment mter ? st s, said the Minister of Agriculture in t ie House of Representatives tonight.

Moving the second reading of the bill he said: “There is absolutely no chance of that happening.”

He s & id an amendment which was being drafted would clarify the clause enabling the board to develop new markets and make it clear that the board’s < activities were to be confined to new markets.

Mr Skinner safd that the bill would enable the board to make contracts for the carriage of meat by air. That was being done in Australia at present, and in the near future it might be possible for New Zealand meat to be air freighted overseas to various small markets.

The question of air transport of meat was being studied by certain airlines at present, who were in contact with the board.

There were provisions enabling the board to buy meat in New Zealand and sell it overseas for the purpose of establishing new markets and maintaining them, and to purchase a shareholding or invest money in companies to facilitate the sale of meat outside New Zealand.

Mr Skinner said that though meat exporters expressed some fears about those provisions, it had. to be remembered that the Minister of Finance had to approve the board’s budget for such undertakings. There was nothing to stop the board co-operating with any of the meat companies in establishing markets overseas.

The board definitely envisaged getting out of markets once they were established.

"I have reassured the meat companies of this, and they are much happier,” said the Minister. “Nothing But Good”

“Nothing but good can come from the provision enabling the board to enter trade in new markets. The board can play an important part in such developments,” said Mr W. H. Gillespie (Opposition, Hurunui). He said that lambing conditions had been excellent and at least 17m carcases would be available for export next year, together with considerable supplies of mutton, and it would appear that New Zealand might be faced with some difficulties in disposing of exportable surpluses.

Mr Gillespie said that though he agreed the board should have the power to develop new markets he hoped nothing would be done to interfere with the meat companies, which had done a

magnificent job for New Zealand over the years.

Mr J. M. Dease (Government. Otahuhu): Will you give similar protection to the Meat Board against the stealing of their markets by the companies? Mr Gillespie: The companies have been roundly criticised by various people, myself among them. ...

Mr Deas: They stole export markets from others. Mr Gillespie: They stole nothing. I don’t think they did. They are private enterprise companies, and if they are not allowed to made a profit it will be a sorry day for New Zealand. Possible Losses

He said he could only hope the TVleat Board would not incur losses over the breaking in of new markets.

“I expect they will, but I hope they will not lose too much,” he said. “But the board will have the backing of the farming community, and with that behind it the losses will be met.”

Mr Gillespie said the Opposition wished the bill well, as it was a measure which was a step forward for the meat industry. The adjournment was then taken, and the debate will be resumed tomorrow morning.