FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 940, 12 February 1924, Page 7

FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

SUGGESTED AMALGAMATION OF. WORKS. (Per Press Association.! CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 11.. For some days past, in circles in Wellington interested in the frozen meat trade, there hjxs been some talk relative to an alleged scheme for the amalgamation of all, or some, of the meat freezing works of the Dominion. Tills talk has been characterised byconsiderable indefiniteness, but has been so persistent that some portions of it have evidently reached linns and others in London interested in the Dominion’s meat trade for already inquiries have been received regarding details of the proposals. As far as inquiries made this afternoon in Christchurch are concerned, there does not appear to be any scheme yet formulated, though that does not necessarily exclude the possibility of some scheme being in process of taking definite shape. As to allegations that the proposal originated in Christchurch, no information in support of this could be got and as the freezing works in Canterbury are understood to be in a sound financial position, the ■ possibilities are that the scheme was conceived in the North Island.

Mr D. J. O’Shea, secretary of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company, on being seen by a reporter, authorised the following statement: “The Canterbury Frozen Meat Company has not been approached by any person, or body-, or company in relation to the rumoured amalgamation of meat freezing companies in New Zealand, nor would it look upon any such project with favour. If representatives of the large freezing concerns have been in close conclave on the subject for two or three weeks past, they have certainly maintained strict secreej- as far as the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company is concerned.” Mr David Jones, chairman of the Meat Producers’ Board, when asked regarding the statements in circulation, said that some time ago some suggestion was made to close some of tlie works in the North Island, but apparently- nothing came of it. As far as the Meat Producers’ Board was concerned, Mr Jones added, it had not had under consideration any amalgamation scheme. It had had nothing concerning the subject before it. Mr. Jones said he could not understand the statement that the proposed amalgamation scheme had originated in Christchurch. As far as was known,, the freezing works in Canterbury were financially sound and the works likely to benefit by amalgamation were some of those in the North Island.