NEWS ZEALAND MEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15848, 19 February 1915, Page 5

NEWS ZEALAND MEAT.

WANTED BY BRITAIN.

«KO SERIOUS LOSS."

STATEMENT BY PREMIER.

Tut TELF<;Rxrn.—rRESs ASSOCIATION-.]

Wellington, Thursday. SpE vKix<"- at the Master ton Show yes♦frdav, tho Prime Minister declared that the imperial authorities had intimated that thev would require all the beef and mutton exported from New Zealand. She Government had no details, but was in remtnuni.-ation with tht> Imperial authorities in resiwt. of the> matter. Ha did not tnink any serious loss would be occasioned to New Zealand. No doubt the Imperial authorities would pay a fair price-

Mr Mas-oy went on to ray that he ein-,-!v hoped the shipping companies would be better prepared for carrying New Zealand produce next year than they v.ere tins, for if they were not ready to fiippiv the required shipping facilities, the Government must undertake the work itfre'f.

The Prime Minister to-day informed a reporter that, full details of the Imperial author.ties' requirements in meat supplies pro now available. They asked for the vho'e of New Zealand's surplus, including lamb The Government will take action forthwith to meet the request. Mr. Musscy has net the slightest doubt the Government- '- 1 - l. receive even* possible assistant e in meeting the requirements of the Imperial Govern

During the past few days, the Governments of Queensland and New South Wales have taken control of all meat sup-

plies in those two States, on behalf of tho British Government. A short emergency Act a,s passed through the New South Wales Parliament a week ago, giving the Gowmment the required authority. It was explained that the Minister in whom the power was vested could esercise his functions in two ways. He could either secure meat or stock—for both were dealt with. He could take possession for the use of the Imperial Government, or he could control its disposition without taking possession at all. All tho stock and meat in the. State was under his control, and so much, as ho desired to take possession of he could, by serving notices the owners, and none could be sold without his permission, that provision being necessary to prevent its being sold outside the Empire or the Empire's allies.