MEAT PRICES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 29, 3 January 1940, Page 3

MEAT PRICES

RETURN TO FARMERS. MR POLSON’S COMPLAINT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 1. Complaints by Mr W. J. Poison, ALP., about the difference between the price paid for New Zealand meat by the Imperial Government and the return to the farmer Here replied to by the Minister of Marketing (Hon. V:'. Nash). . Speaking at Stratford, Mr Poison quoted his own experience and said he had complained to the chairman of the Meat Board that the price received for lambs by farmers was unreasonable, and the charges roducted h.v the freezing companies exorbitant and far beyond the necessities of the case. For this he blamed tho Minister of Marketing. Air Nash said his answer was that he ha dnothing to do with the fixing of freezing and allied charges. They were arranged by the Meat Board in consultation with the freezing companies, but the Government had reserved the right to audit the books of the freezing companies and to satisfy itself as to th ebasis of the charges made. “If Mr Poison would ascertain the facts before making ills statements to the Press,” said Air Nash, “lie would not so often bo astray. Arrangements in connection with the purchase of stock from the farmers were made by the Meat Board and the freezing companies. Alv work on behalf of lire Government was confined to buying meat from the freezing companies, from the operators, or from the farmers who exercise the right to send in stock on their own account. If Air Poison had consulted the Meat Board with regard to the procedure and had asked the opinion of the members of the hoard, lie would have discovered that, at the conclusion of their discussions with the freezing companies on the procedure, at which I was not present, they came specially to thank me for allowing them in tiic main to determine the rules governing the relations of the farmers and freezing companies, and tho opinion of the members of the Meat Board was that | tho competition between the freezing companies would ensure to the farmer I the maximum return for his stock. The Government’s policy is in accord with the expressed will of the farmers, which is not to take advantage ol the war situation hut to ensure that Great Britain and the people of the Dominion shall obtain all the commodities produced in the Dominion at reasonable prices. If any section is taking advantage of the position it is doing so in direct opposition to the policy of the Government which will co-operate in every way with the producers’ organisations to prevent sueli ad vantage being taken. 'This is apparently not what Mr Poison desires; lie apparently desires to create discontent with the Government 'even although the particular issue ho raises is in no way the responsibility of the Government.”