MEAT MARKETING SCHEME

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 33, 9 February 1922, Page 6

MEAT MARKETING SCHEME

The Government is determined to proceed with its Meat -Export Control Bill. The second reading was agreed to eariy this morning. Insofar as the measui'e was designed to effect economies in the distribution of the meat from the time it entered, the works on the hoof to the time it reached the butcher's shop at destination, we saw no objection to it. On the contrary, any fair and reasonable methods of marketing that would benefit producers and yet not constitute a monopoly, albeit a Government monopoly, to the prejudice of the consumers, were to be commended. t . But we are not so certain that the consumer, both in New Zealand and in overseas markets, is giving the (Government and its supportersi much concern in their framing of this meat mar-, keting scheme. Four very important points were raised by the Wellington Chamber W Commerce in its temperatelyworded letter to the Prime Minister. ' These concerned the personnel of the Board of Control and its powers, and the financial 'guarantee given by the ' Government to the soheme. The last point has already been made' in these column's. It .is now fully endorsed by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, which holds that "accumulated stocks will have to face liquidation or the guarantee might be placed in jeopardy."

. If, as Mr. Massey has said over and over again, the pool is to be "a producers' pool" pure and simple, then should not those who stand to benefit directly by its operation bear the full financial responsibility^ attaching to it 1 The country Ihould not be called upon to pay more for its meat and at the same time back the meat* producers' bill. There was. an impression that' the Government would commit the country to a guaranteed advance of 90 per cent, on the meat, but Mr. Massey is now prepared to go no farther than 75 per cent. The question arises: would the banks, on their own ■initiative and without Government guarantee, make advances as .high as 15 per cent, upon meat or any produce subject to sharp market changes 1 With the ple.dge of the Government to make good any default, and .that out of the Consolidated Fund, as the Bill provides, the banks might be disposed to advance up to 100 per cent. ; but that would not be for the good of the country as a whole, however beneficial it might be to a section of the farmers; ■ It is gratifying to note that provision will be made in the constitution of the board for expert members, also probably for freezing companies' representation. But the objection remains— the credit of the whole country is pledged to assist a section of the people, and yet the country has but little say in the management of this great business scheme.