FROZEN MEAT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17285, 28 September 1916, Page 3

FROZEN MEAT.

PRICES IN BRITAIN.

FARMERS INDIGNANT.

At yesterday’s meeting of the North Canterbury branch of tho New Zealand Farmers’ Union the Hon W. D. S. MacDonald, on behalf of the Prime Minister, replied to the union’s representations on the meat question, stating that when matters reached the stage where definite proposals could bo submitted it was only right that producers would he given an opportunity to express their views. In the meantime the union would realise that a conference would not be opportune at the present moment. The chairman (Mr D. Jones) said that it was satisfactory to note that the producers-would bo represented at a cqmerence if called. .by tlio morning’s papers they read that tho Imperial Government was going to take over the wholo meat question. Australia was now getting 6Jd per lb. If Now Zealand was going to get Australia s increase there was no guarantee that the producers would benefit to tnat extent. , If the Government did not take stepi, in view of the increased freights, tho shipping companies or the middlemen would get it. tie instanced the case of a producer who consigned privately meat not wanted by the Imperial Government, and as » result received a bonus of Id to 2d per lb on the whole shipment. This sort of thing went to indic-ato that the companies operating in the frozen meat- trade took that profit, and to bear out the farmers' contention that they were deprived of their just dues by, the Imperial authorities. Farmers should note that there was no guarantee that they would receive the net profit of their produce. Mr .T. O’Hallnran said that while tile High Commissioner was an able representative of the Dominion he had a lot of political work to do and producers would do better if a 'trade commissioner were appointed at Home to deal entirely with the markets. Mr G. W. Leadley said that it was reasonable to ask the Government to exempt lamb from the question altogether.

It was pointed out that the union had already done so. Mr Leadley moved that should the Imperial Government not require New Zealand frozen lamb it should be released from tho operations of the Meat Commission.

Mr O’Halloran ''seconded the motion. Mr G. Gardner said tho union ought to thank the Minister, and suggested leaving the matter as it was. Mr W. Bailey said that if they were dot careful, in view of the shortage of space, they might find the Imperial Government diverting ships and leaving them with the lamb on their hands. It was decided to reply to the letter thanking the Minister for his reply and suggesting that the producers realised that the Prime Minister would look into the position in London and if no conference was held New Zealand producers should be placed on tho samo basis as the Argentine, viz., a price to be fixed for all meat required for Army purposes, and an open market for the balance.

It was also resolved to submit a copy of the resolution to tho public meeting to ho held on the subject in the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, October 4, at 3 p.m.