BRITISH MEAT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 282, 21 August 1908, Page 7

BRITISH MEAT.

'ARGENTINE SUPPLIES. AMERICAN FIRMS' BIG PURCHASE. CHILLED BEEF. (by telegraph—press association—copyright) (Rec. August 20, 11.58 p.m.) London, August 20. "Tho Times" learns tli.it a South American company has sold to tho thrco Amorican beef companies, at the high prices of £3000, two hundred quarters of Argentine) chillcd beef aboard the Highland Harris, duo in Liverpool to-day. Tho Americans themselves have a largo shipment by tho same vessels. POLITICIANS ON THE "COMBINE." Tho three American meat firms are Armours, Swifts, and -the Packing Company, and it haa been alleged repeatedly Hint Vney are trying to corner British supplies. A meeting in London on July 2 demanded a Parliamentary investigation, also removal of tho embargo on Canadian storo cattle and of restrictions on tho importation of cattle for immediate slaughter from all countries officially declared freo from disens^ At this meeting, Mr. Bowcrman, M.P., showed tho rise in prices in five months: Argsntino chilled beef Inc. lGs. sd. per ewt. American chilled beef Inc. lSs.Sd. perewt. English fresh beef Inc. '9s. Gd. perewt.

This, Mr. ■ Bowcrman declared, was due to tho American "trust," who "have this country in an iron grip, a grip likely to become stronger and harsher as tiiuo gees on. I believe if the whole truth about that" 'trust' were known tho people would stand it no longer. The methods have been the means of crippling and ruining many traders in this country." Dr. Cooper, MJ\, pointed out the heavy damage to British industry through tho loss of the by-products of cattle now slaughtered in America. Pepsins' has become a valuablo American product. The Bermondsey leather trade has been brought to a very bad state because the hides from the Deptford-killed cattle are now salted and sent back to America. Mr. Straus, M.P., declared: "The American meat 'trust' always keeps tho supply of beef in this country just a little below the demand. The three powerful firms, tho Armours, Swifts, and the Packing Company, are playing this country for all it is worth. It is the biggest 'combine' the world has ever known, one of the most iniquitous things under which this country has suffered."