SWIFTS AT WAIROA

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 221, 15 June 1934, Page 13

SWIFTS AT WAIROA

Purchase of Meat Works OVERSEAS CAPITAL Advantage to Community The opinion that the more that could be done to bring capital into this country under conditions that would give that capital freedom of action the better it would be for the community, was expressed yesterday by Mr. 11. Al. Campbell, M.P. for Hawke’s Bay, when discussing t_he recent purchase of the Wairoa freezing works by Swift (N.Z.) Limited. In au interview with a representative of “The Dominion.” Mr. Campbell said the advent of Swifts had cost the Wairoa farmer nothing, while be also had the advantage of works on both sides of him in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay on which he could fail back if that course were necessary.

Referring to the low prices which had lately been ruling for meat, Air. Campbell recalled days within his own recollection when legs of mutton were delivered for sixpence. The industry had made great strides since then, and its progress had been due to the men with the courage to invest capital in freezing works and refrigerated ships. When the freezing industry first began sheep brought about 2/6. Yet with small returns men with enterprise aud foresight had’ kept the industry going, and in the pre-war days fat sheep brought up to 25/-. “In other words,” said Mr. Campbell, “we owe credit for this progress to the capitalists—trusts, if you like. I know there has beeu a lot of talk in New Zealand about the alleged evil of trusts. They may conceivably be damaging. But the fact is that in this country those which have operated here have been of untold benefit to us so far. Holding that view, I have been pleased to lend what little assistance I could toward facilitating Messrs. Swifts’ entry into Wairoa. They are bringing American capital to Wairoa to save farmers from further loss on their stock. In my opinion the more we can do to bring capital into this country under, conditions which will give that capital freedom of action, the better it will be for the community.” Air. Campbell added that Swifts hal come in and it Had not cost the farmer anything. There were freezing works on both sides of Wairoa, in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, for the Wairoa farmer to fail back upon. To compete with either of these works the Wairoa works would be iu a disadvantageous position as regards haulage, and If they attempted to close up the works in Gisborne or Hawke’s Bay, they would have a desperate hurdle to get over. Even if it were found that the operation of trusts were inimical to the best interests of the country, that position could quite easily be dealt with when it arose. Iu the meantime he favoured complete freedom to the industry to manage its own affairs. Mr. Campbell remarked that the Meat Producers’ Board, which taxed the producers to the extent of £30,000 a year, had achieved nothing even in shipping contracts which could not have been bettered by large private firms. He considered that the Meat Board’s policy was not in the best Interests of the industry. To him it savoured of the policy which New Zealanders complain of in British motorcar tind implement-makers industries, which until lately had not shown any concern to turn out cars of the type re qttired here.’ “If,” Mr. Campbell continued, “the English purchaser is prepared to pay us a higher price for seconds than for the so-called higher quality, it is obvious that he prefers seconds, so let us give him what he. wants. It is not our business to dictate to him what he shall buy. I hope that the Meat Board will not persist in its attitude in this matter.”