Crisis for Producers.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 139, 27 May 1920, Page 5

Crisis for Producers.

COMMANDEER ENDS JUNE 30th GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE GUARANTEES. TILL STORES CLEARED. IPer Press Association.) Wellington, Alay 27. Addressing the Producers’ Conference to-day, Mr. Alassey said he had received a cablegram from the Colonial Secretary intimating that the Imperial Government would not renew the meat commandeer after June 30th. Since March, 1915, producers in New Zealand had received £138,000,000 for Imperial supplies, and there were between £8,000,000 and £10.000,000 to ccyne. The Now Zealand Government was not going to let the producers down. He knew t»ie opinion of his colleagues, and all of them were concerned in the welfare of the producers. When the Government knew the requirements to a reasonable extent, the guarantee of the Government would be placed behind the producers until the Imperial meat was disposed of. Ho did not think the Imperial Government would insist on getting all its meat away before our own meat wag sent to London. A SERIOUS CONDITION. Later.

In the course of a statement to the Producers’ Conference Air. Alassey said we were up against a crisis, and he hoped it would be able to arrive at a satisfactory solution. In one cablegram to the Imperial Government he stated that if the congestion in London docits was not relieved New Zea, land producers would suffer such a condition as to cause a financial crisis. He had asked for the supply of insulated steamers and that the present purchase arrangements should continue till the ’end of June, 1921. The Secretary of State for Colonies replied that the Imperial Government would be unable to extend the meat agreement, Mr. Massey had protested against 1 the injustice done to New Zealand by preference given to ships from Argentine. New Zealand meat stores were full to the utmost capacity and only the provision of the greatest amount of refrigerating tonnage would enable the position to be met. He did not think from enquiries he had made that there was any truth that Australia had been able to renew its contract with the Imperial Government. . . Yesterday he was officially advised that Imperial control over home-grown meat would cease on 4th July, and they would then have a free market. The High Commissioner had been unable to obtain any definite information as to the prices likely to rule. Air Massey went on to say that this morning he had been advised by the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the Imperial Government was reluctant ito increase its committments by any 1 purchase in respect to 1920-1921 season i which would increase its difficulties. I The New Zealand Government, how- , ever, would not let the producers down. ! Gi’.iRDING AGAINST AIEAT TRUST

Air Alassey stated that he was of the opinion that the Imperial Government would place no difficulty in the way of producers finding other markets for their meat. There would be no objection, so far as lie could see, to New Zealand meat going to the United States, but he did cbiect to the Meat Trust gettting a foothold in this country. The New Zealand Government would place every difficulty in the way of that. He drew the line against any meat trust owning works in this country.

IMPERIAL WOOL. SALES CONTINUE JILL DECEMBER. London, May 25. The Australian Press Association learns from an authoritative source that the British Government will continue to hold wool auctions in London till December 31. The Government will probablv be willing to give squatters a reasonable portion of freight space from October Ist. onwards. BRITAIN’S BUTTER. IMPORTERS FEAR CONTROL. London, Alay 25. Butter importers have decided to call official attention to the action of the British Co-operative Societies, which they allege are working with the Labour Unions and Consumers Council in a strong campaign for lower prices of foodstuffs, including butter and cheese, and to secure permanent Government control, which importers regard as a serious menace to Australian and New Zealand producers.— (A. and N.Z.)