Evening post. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1915,

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 40, 17 February 1915, Page 6

Evening post. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1915,

STATE CONTROL <fr MEAT

There is a striking contrast between Australian and New Zealand Governmental methods in the handling of the meat export question. The Imperial authorities' request to secure the whole of the exportable surplus, in the inter* ests of the army and the navy, was made known in New South Wales last week, and immediately afterwards came the news that the New South Wales Government had passed through both Houses an emergency Bill, providing power to seise stock and to value same by means of a valuation board- It was not till Saturday that tJie^New Zealand Prime Minister saw Jijs'way clear to announce that the New Zealand Government had received from the Imperial authorities a similar communication regarding the supply of meat for the Imperial troops ; and the tone of the Prime Minister's comment thereon was hesitant and non-committal. "As," he said, "the matter is of the greatest importance, and requires the most careful consideration, it is not likely that a decision will be arrived at for some little time." It is to be hoped that these uninspiring wordß, which closely resemble the terms of a stereotyped reply to an academic deputation, cover more strength and statesmanlike decision than meet the eye. Caution is in some cases commendable, but the situation cannot be more complicated than it is in Australia, where New South Wales (legislatively) »nd Queensland (administratively) have both stepped quickly into the breach. Though details might be matters for expert advice, the laying down of principles rests with the' Government, and we cannot find in the Prime Minister's -curt reference to the subject any affirmation of the principle by which the Gov. ernment will be guided. Yesterday the Prime Minister made it cloar that the freezing companies, the chipping companies, and the Board of Agriculture wilt help in arriving at the deferred decision, and will confer for that purpose on Friday. It is certainly not the part of the interested companies, nor of tho consultative 'board, to lay down a policy, though their advice might be useful for the carrying of it I o»t. It would be against the interests of the Government if the impresoion gained ground, that, with regard to the meat question, the Prime Minister must take his policy from the freezing comI panias, or the shipping companies, or the Board of Agriculture; and any action — or, what is wonse, inaction — that could be so construed or coloured would certainly not commend the Government to the community, which is a body superior in authority to either the freezing companies or the shipping companies, or even the Board of Agriculture. On the whole, we are forced to the conclusion that the Prime Minister has been unwise in not taking the community more into his confidence. There can be no doubt that public feeling in New Zealand is overwhelmingly in favour of State control of exports, at Icaet to the. d«gre« that the Im»*rwl authoritin require ;

I and in addition to the army and the I navy, the local consumer ha« claims upon, tho meat supply that cannot be disregarded. If the Board of Agriculture is to exercise an influence on the question of State control of foodstuffs, its attitude should be adequately defined, and if it ventures bo far into matters of general policy the question arises whether its proceedings should not be open to the public. A Star Chamber body of increasing influence in affairs of State is an experiment to be carefully watched.