WAIRARAPA DECISION

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1922, Page 7

WAIRARAPA DECISION

OTHER DOMINION VIEWS

Masterton sheep-owners and others interested in the pastoral industry, yesterday supported the Government's proposal for a meat pool (pending fuller details). Mr. Hugh Morrison presided, and there wew over three hundred' present. Mr. A. D. M'Leod, M.P., rend the following telegram, addressed to himself, from the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Nosworthy) :—"Communications have reached me from farmers in various districts, which indicate that a risk exists of misapprehensions arising aa-% result of the over-zealous efforts of I those associated with the interests, which have thought fit to oppose the meat pool proposals. It is necessary once more to moke clear to producers that these proposals are made wholly and solely in their interests, and that, as pointed, out by the Prime Minister, the pool will.be a producers' pool, controlled by them, and managed on their behalf by the beet business men obtainable. . A CALL FOR UNITY. . "There was never a time in-4&e history of the Dominion when so great a necessity existed for «11 producers .to come together, and act with one mind and with the one.object of safeguarding their own interest* against the encroachments of Irustsf whose aim is to secure control, ..directly or indirectly,, of the meat which is,produced through the labour and the enterprise of our farmers. The pool proposals, providing as they do, one- central producers' controlling body, and one seller only of New Zealand meat, would afford a greater measure of protection than anything else, and it is particularly noticeable that the „ only criticism which so far has come to light is of a. destructive nature, and: that no one has been able to put forward any suggestions for improvement, or for any alternative scheme which will afford the protection \to producers' interest* which the present-day position demands. THE PETITIONS AGAINST, Petitions are being circulated for signature by farmers asking for the right to sejl their stock how and when they please. The bearing of the proposals upon the sale of stock on the hoof by farmers has I been and is! being fully considered and pending the elaboration of all working details, farmers would be well advised not to sign the petitions, seeing that they-, may be described as attempts at flank attacks upon the stronghold of producers' interests which the pool is, intended to establish. The Government is desirous of ( having the whole qeustion fully and.frankly discussed frith full consideration for every aspect of it, but the one definite principle of safeguarding the producers of the Dominion against the aggression of powerful outside' 'organisations must never be lost, sight of, or allowed to be clouded by/side issues. There should be no misapprehension of the position—producers must either come together for their own protection or place themselves, so far as the export meat trade is "concerned; at the mercy of outside trusts. The matter is in their hands and with a united body of producers behind it, the Government will be in a'position to act strongly and decisively. i • . Mr. William Perry moved: That this meeting of producers, fully recognising the extreniely serioub condition of the meat industry, is of opinion that strong united action is required to place our producing interests upon a sounder financial basis: Admitting that great difficulties, hot to say dangers, must lie ahead of any ' movement or pool which is not backed up by a considerable majority of those engaged in the industry, this meeting of Wairarapa producers is prepared to give earnest support to the pool proposals pending further details of the scheme by the Government at the conference. ' ; Sir Walter Buchanan seconded, and Mr. W. B. Matheson supported, both being in strong support of reform in the disposal of New Zealand meat. The motion was carried. Delegates appointed to the Producers' Conference in Wellington, called for 10th I January, were:—Sir Walter Buchanan, j Messrs. D. M'Gregor, and L. T. Dahiell.