THE MEAT GLUT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 45, 5 February 1920, Page 5

THE MEAT GLUT.

THE WANGANUI ASSERTIONS. CONTRARY TO FACT. MR. MASSEY’S REPLY. Wellington, Feb. 4. With reference to the Wanganui Press Association message about the meat commandeer, the .Hon. W. F. Massey said that from his own know- i ledge he could say that the statement that the Imperial Government was still bringing Argentine and Brazilian meat into England was , contrary to fact. “This man says,” Mr. Massey continued, “that we are to be panicked into acceptance of the commandeer for a further term. The answer to that statement is that 1 the British Government has of its i own. volition given notice that the commandeer is to be stopped from , June 30th. As for the statement , that England has given American i firms preference, that is contrary to fact, and I can say this of ifey own knowledge. It was quite true that meat was brought froip the United ' States at the time that American ' troops were coming over, and this meat was bought at a very much ' higher price than that paid to New Zealand producers. But otherwise nothing of the sort here suggested has occurred. Men were at that time needed above all other requirements, and ships which brought men from Atactica were used to carry meat also. SHIPPING SPACE. HAWKE’S BAY REQUIREMENTS The Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister (Mr. W. F. Massey) in a letter to the secretary of the Hastings branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, re shipping space for freezing works, says tnat he has already been in communication .with the New Zealand Overseas Shipowners’ Committee (which is responsible for th© allocation of shipping space available) on the question of affording all possible relief to the Hawke’s Bay district, particularly in view of the conditions which prevailed this season. The committee was fully alive to- the (Situation as regards the Hawke’s Bay freezing works, and a good deal had already been done in the direction desired. It was necessary to point out, however, that, owing to the limited amount of tonnage available, largely due to delays to vessels in British ports, etc., the .greatest difficulty was being experienced in keeping the various works clear, “but,” concludes the Premier, “I am 'sparing no effort in the direction of securing additional tonnage to meet the requirements of the Dominion.” WEEKLY CONSUMPTION. ONLY HALF ARRIVALS. London, Feb. 4. The Incorporated Society of Meat Importers passed a resolution drawing attention to the fact that the weekly consumption of colonial meat was only half the weekly arrivals while the cold stores are already full to capacity, causing deplorable delay in discharge of the steamers. Unless drastic action n taken in regard to reduction of price the situation will be most serious in July, when home supplies are available. OVERLOADED MARKETS. VAST PURCHASES ARRIVE. London, Feb. 3. Mr. McCurdy (Food Ministry), addressing the meat retailers, admitted there was a temporary glut of colonial meat, as it was necessary to bring home vast purchases in Australia and New Zealand which the submarine campaign had prevented in war time. It was difficult to handle it with sufficient speed on arrival. It was not true meat went bad, but there- was delay in unloading, and passing it into consumption.