MEAT BOARD.

Northern Advocate, 2 August 1924, Page 4

MEAT BOARD.

A STAUNCH ADVOCATE. ABSENT CHAIRMAN CHAMPIONED ARRANGING FREIGHT CONTRACTS. (Special to "Northern Advocate/ ,, ) WELLINGTON, This Day. Reference to recent statements concerning the Meat Board were made in the House by the Minister of Lands,, the Hon A. D. McLeod, last night. The Minister said he proposed to say a word in defence of one who'nvas at themoment absent from the country. He considered it unfair to attack a gentle* - man who had made an honest endeavour to do his best for the board, of* which he had appointed chairman. Much had been said in criticism of theboard, but as one interested in the meat industry for years he was bound" to say that never had there been two ■ years with such an even set of prices on the London market as in the past two • years. He challenged contradiction on v that point. No inquiry, Mr McLeod said, could take place- into the affairsof the board till Mr Jones, who was • now in London, was back in New , ' Zealand. .- Mr Jones had been with and he had cabled a reply to the • following effect: "If imperative in. your opinion that I should return to New Zealand I will leave by the first boat. Can you supply particulars? Ihave arranged late in September to meet the Dairy Board representativesto make final arrangements for freight control for this year. ,.

"I am not prepared to say," concluded Mr McLeod, "that holding the. important position he does as chairman of the Meat Board Mr Jones should leave London before satisfactory arrangements are made for next year's freights. " , . .