FROZEN MEAT CRISIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16793, 22 February 1915, Page 8

FROZEN MEAT CRISIS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—Allow rac to draw your attea* tion to the responsibilities jrfjicti "th« financial institutions have incurred in not providing sufficient space to enablo our frozen meat to bo placed on a foreign market. You are aware that the dividends which the said institu-. tions pay to their shareholders are made by financing farmers to work land which they could not do without, such assistance ' In few words, these companies undertake to do the needful to turn into money the meat which the farmer puts into their hands for sale. That is the contract. Cannot the farmer say:—"lf you don't fulfil your contract we shall expect you to compensate us for any loss we have incurred?" Then what will the shareholders say* "We invested our money in your shares expecting you to use all the alertness of business men to provide for every contingency." The companies may say: "It is owing to the war." Quite bo. But the war commenced in August' last and they have had plenty of. time to appraisa its effects. At any rate, the excuse that it is Massey's fault, won't satisfy the fanners or the shareholders.-' I am, etc ,

LOOKER ON.