FREEZING INDUSTRY
MEAT PRODUCERS' BTJARD
THE MERGER PROBLEM.
Tho consideration of the annual report and statement of accounts of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board was continued after "The Post" went to pressi yesterday afternoon. Mr. David Jones (chairman of the board) presided. Mr. James Begg (Otago), referring to the statement of the chairman as to the views of the Farmers' Union on the question of the suggested merger of freezing companies, remarked that after a conference of a committee of the i'armers' Union with the Meat Board, the Farmers' Union came to the conclusion that local mergers would be useless.
The chairman read the decisions come to by the Meat Board in regard to the suggested merger, and maintained that the board in the interests of the pro-d-eers of New Zealand, could take no other course than that which they had taken.
Mr. J. S. Jessep (vice-chairman) said that he differed from the opinion held by some of his colleagues on this question. He maintained that it was not possible for any freezing company in New Zealand to exist to-day, however well situated, or in however strong a position, and pay any reasonable interest on the capital invested, if it did a wholly freezing business. The war had brought about the erection of a gr^at many more freezing works than were necessary. The suggested local merger must mean the amalgamation of all the freezing companies in a district or the move would be just as valueless as works operating singly. The present position, with the right of selling gone and no alternative provided, was an impossible situation. The chairman remarked that the board was of opinion that the various districts, so far as local mergers were concerned, could largely solve this question if they got down to work. Mr. A. V. S. Beed (Hawkes Bay) remarked that it was apparently only the Wellington district which would benefit by a local merger. Mr. C. K. Wilson expressed the opinion that a merger in the Auckland district was not possible, as the only competitors veto the two big outside companies. The motion for the adoption of the report and balance-sheet was carried. A PROPOSAL NEGATIVED. Mr. F. S. Bowen (Gisborne) moved: "That this meeting of delegates, representing the sheepowners of the Dominion, is of opinion that the Meat Producers' Board sho-ld take immediate steps to endeavour to place the freezing industry on-such a footing that the producers will eventually own and control the works, with the object of conducting such works solely as freezing factories." Mr. Bowcn said there were two ways of making a general merger practicable. One was to take evidence from all the freezing works, and the other was to buy out vested interests.
Mr. H. E. Worsop (Auckland) said that unless something were done the sheepfarmers of the Do -inion would find themsel 3 in a perilous position befo.re very long.
The motion was lost by 8 votes to 10.
A motion was passed to the effect that the pres -it system of grading is unsatisfactory and asking the board to go into the whole question.
It was decided that nominations for the board should precede the election of delegates.
In reply to a suggestion that members of tho board should more frequently Visit the various districts and acquaint sheepfafmers with their policy, the chairman said the board would endeavour to do that.
Messrs. T. A. Duncan and A. Hamilton, the retiring producers' representatives on the board, were re-elected.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume 50, Issue 50, 27 August 1926, Page 10
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582FREEZING INDUSTRY Evening Post, Volume 50, Issue 50, 27 August 1926, Page 10
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