METHODS IN MEAT TRADE

Nelson Evening Mail, 15 May 1917, Page 5

METHODS IN MEAT TRADE

FARMERS AND SPECULATORS, j The que&tion of railing livestock to ' distant freezing works in relation to the ;j . restriction of railway services was dis- j cussed at a recent meeting of the Auck- • land Provincial Executive of the Farm- \ ers' Union, says- the Herald. A -A motion was proposed by Mr, R. D. Duxfield, that the• attention of, the Na- . tional Efficiency Board and of the .Min-ister-for Railways should be drawn to • the possibility of economy in labour and rolling-stock by limiting the- conveyance >of -live-stock for freezing purposes to the nearest available freezing works.,Mr Duxfield suggested that the Government \ should assume control of tho freezing ' industry, so that it would be able to prevent accumulations of frozen* meat at some centres while at others there was no congestion of stock. He said 'the present methods were benefiting the speculator, and added that the effect of the motion would be to urge upon the Government the advisability v of allotting sufficient shipping space m each province to deal with the stock produced in the respective districts. Mr P. Keenan,- who seconded the motion pro forma, • said he recognised the "need for greater efficiency,'.but he could not support the proposal'because of the probability of mismanagement by the Government. He contended that if effect were given to the it would help meat speculators and trusts , to'secure control of the industry.after ' the war. Mr-J. Boddie expressed surprise that Mr Duxfield should have suggested Gov- . ernment control, especially in view of the results of Government interference j in the wheat and butter Questions. Mr Boddie admitted that greater efficiency could be secured in the carriage.of live- ■ Captain F. Colbeck saitTthai Mr Dux. field was actually moving in the direction of building up avsmall meat trust m i New Zealand. It was owing to; the com? I petition among speculators that: farmers : • were now coming into their own.- To stop the practice of, railing, stock from, one centre to another - would remove all competition. v 'i The motion was lost, only the mover voting in favour of its adoption.