EXPLOITATION ALLEGED

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 30 March 1915, Page 8

EXPLOITATION ALLEGED

BEEF PRODUCERS' COMPLAINT

BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, March 29. A deputation of beef producers from the Manwatua and Rangitikei districts waited "on the Prime Minister to-day and made known a grievance they considered they had against freezing companies, by wham ihe producers declared they were being exploited. They also considered they had a grievance against the Government regarding the representation of farmers at the recent conference on the Imperial meat supply scheme. Mr Massey replied that the conference was called not to consider the prices of meat, but the shortage of shipping. Later, when the Imperial authorities asked all exportable meat, the matter was referred to the same conference, at which twelve farmers were preesent.

Mr Goring Johnston complained that freezing companies were now offering less for beef since the schedule of prices had come out. He thought if anything was to be gained as between what the Imperial authorities paid and the farmers received the Government and not freezing companies should benefit. This difference in some cases was as much as one pound a head for fat cattle.

Mr Massey paid the whole trouble had arisen through the shortage of ships owing to the war, but the New Zealand Government had managed to secure enough shipping space to handle the exports to the end of February, and one million more carcases of sheep had been dispatched than in the same period last year. This month, however, enough space had not been available. He thought a mistake was made at the beginning of the war through. not increasing the freights.