IF THE BEEF TRUST CAME.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 840, 11 June 1910, Page 8

IF THE BEEF TRUST CAME.

MINISTER'S VIEWS. ■ "I tliiilk too mucli altogether has boon made in the press of the moves of the American tieef Trust of recent years," said the Minister for Agriculture to a Dominion' representative yesterday. Continuing, Mr. Mackenzie referred to floridly-painted stories current some time back- of the capture-of the Argentine trade by the American packinghouses. ' There were'. something like twelve freezing companies in Argentina, and when the scare subsided' it was found tiiat the trust' bad; acquired interests in tlrrco only. ; Yesterday the return of Messrs. Swift's representatives to Australia was referred to in these columns, and Mr. Mackenzie was asked what would be the attitude of the Government towards the American houses should they take a fancy to buy into tho meat trade in this country. In reply Mr. Mackenzie said it was, of course, perfectly, open for the American firms, or anyone else, to enter into moat exporting from New Zealand. Tho more companies we had competing for the' produce of the country the better it would be for the farmers. At' the same time, and up to a certain point, it was a good tiling to have our meat handled. by as few bouses as possible -at the other end. AYlieu the meat was distributed among many different firms in London there was always the danger of weak holders accepting low prices, and thus bringing the .whole market down. . "Our producers may take it," said Mr. Mackenzie ;in conclusion, "that the Government is quite alive to the advantages of competition, arid, on the other band, to tho.dariger of one company endeavouring 'to purchase the output."' ' ,