MEAT BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1926, Page 2

MEAT BOARD.

CRITICISM OF POLICY. WELLINGTON. August 28. In the course of a speech at the Afeat Producers’ Board meeting AH- D. Jones (chairman) said they had decided that they would he , neglecting their duty if they allowed such a state of affairs as ruled in the Argentine to come into being j here. The Board could not take up any other attitude •in tho interests of the farmers. He put it to tho meeting whether they wished that resolution repealed. Afr C. K. AVilson: But you repealed it 'yourself! The chairman: No, sir.

Air Wilson: You repealed it when you granted A’estey’s license. Mr Jones stated that they had had the Gisborne works in mind when they had passed the resolution. The Board, he held, was entitled to discuss with the directors of any company what steps were best in the circumstances. Air J. H. Joll: Or to stop a trans-

The chairman: Just so. Air J. S. Jessep (vice-chairman) maintained that it was impossible for any farmers’ freezing company in New Zealand, no matter Show well they were placed .to carry on and pay dividends. The war had induced the building of more works than word * necessary, and had placed power in tho hands of the exporters. The exporters ■ had said “freeze for us at a. certain rate or we freeze elsewhere.” And when' the right to sell had gone, an impossible situation had been created. Air D. J. Ross suggested that what A was needed was cool stores at the 1 other end and the elimination of middlemen.

Air V. S. Reed : At present it looks as if the Board is sitting on a rail, and waiting to see which way the eat jumps. It seems to me that it is time the Board formed a policy and revealed it to the farmers. Air Jones said he had stated that the Board considered local mergers to he a solution of the problem. They were of opinion that various districts could largely solve this problem for themselves if they “ got down to it.” “ Do you suggest that a little company such as the Auckland freezing company could buy out Bortliwick’s and Ve'stey’s ? ” asked Air C. K. AVilson. The chairman: Borthwick are not in Auckland. Air AVilson: They are the biggest buyers in the Auckland province. The thing is impossible. The position is serious. The only two competitors' are the two big Trusts and the Trusts are bound to drive out the small companies in the long run. The position is absolutely rigged from start to finish. You will see one buyer purchase a line, and then sit down while another buys something else. Air F. S. Bowen moved: “That this meeting of delegates, representing the sheepowners of the Dominion, is of the opinion that the .Meat Producers’ Board should take immediate steps to endeavour to place the freezing industry on such 'a footing that producers will eventually own and control the works, with the object of conducting such works solely as freezing factories.”

Air AY. Alorrison seconded the motion which was defeated by 10 votes to 8. On the motion of Air J. Trotter it was decided to recommend to the Board to revise the present system of lamb grading, whic’U was considered unsatisfactory.

Mr A. Thomson moved that instructions he given that members of the Board visit different districts in order to keep farmers in touch with affairs. This was agreed to..Messrs T. A. Duncan and A (lain Hamilton, ALP., retiring members, were re-elected.