THE MEAT INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19508, 11 December 1926, Page 14

THE MEAT INDUSTRY.

POLICY OF THE BOARD. SAFEGUARDING PRODUCERS. FATE OF MERGER SCHEMES. [BY telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT.'J OAMARtT, Friday.Matters affecting • tho meat industry were dealt with by Mr. R. S. Forsyth, London manager, and Mr. I). Jones, M.P., chairman of tho New Zealand Meat Producers' Board, at .1 largo gathering of farmers in Oamaru this afternoon. Mr. Forsyth dealt with the system of marketing and Mr. Jones emphasised tho fact that tho policy adopted by the board was in the best interests of the producers. At the conclusion of tho address by Mr. Jones. Mr. Robert Mjlligan. a director of the Waitaki Farmers' Meat Company, asked if tho board intended to set up a commission to investigate the conditions of the meat trade as suggested by the New Zealand Farmers' Union conference, Mr. Jones replied that if a commission were sot up the final decision would have to rest with the Meat Board. Mr. Milligan: You are evading my question.

Mr. Jones heatedly retorted that he had never been guilty of evasion. He said the Farmers' Union had condemned the merger scheme outlined by the companies and it had also been condemned by the conference of representatives of sheep owners called for the selection of members of the Meat Board. The board had investigated the merger scheme in all its bearings and found it impracticable. It would mean that the producers of the Dominion would have to find £6,500,000 and that competition for stock would be entirely eliminated. Constant Investigation.

Mr. Milligan: You have not yet answered my question. Wili the board set up a commission to investigate the conditions of the meat trade. Mr. Jones: The board itself is a commission that is constantly sitting and investigating the question. It has been investigating it for the last three years. Mr. Milligan: But without result. i Mr. Jones replied that the Farmers' Union and the Meat Board conference had been unable to find a solution. The board recognised that there were certain companies in the Dominion that were in financial difficulties, but it was not prepared to ask the whole of the producers of the Dominion to carry the burdens of these companies. There were farmers in difficulties, but was it right to ask all the other farmers in the Dominion to come to their assistance?

The board had proposed a local merger scheme which would have relieved the situation had it been given effect to. It had been rejected, and the board refused to saddle tho country with a scheme that was going to destroy competition and put a burden upon the shoulders of the producers which was heavier than they could carry. Tho board was in sympathy with the farmers' companies, and they could rest assured that it would exercise its powers to the fullest to. prevent tho meat trade of the Dominion falling into the hands of trusts and combines. Charges and Grading.

Mr. J. E. Austin asked what the board was doing to reduce the charge of 2s per head that was made for the slaughter and marketing of sheep. Mr. Jones replied that the total charge from New Zealand to the market at the other end of the "world was only Is lOd per head. The board was using every means in its power to reduce the charges. However, the cost of handling had increased in every direction and the board had no control over this. Mr. J. G. Macdonald asked if the grading system could not be altered. He said that a much higher price was paid for lambs of 3611>. weight than for those of 421b. weight. Mr. Forsyth stated that the demand for light-weight lambs was created by the consumers in England, wno could not afford to pay for large joints at the prices ruling. The grading was the same for Argentine and Australian lamb. _ The meeting passed a resolution requesting the Farmers' Union to invito Messrs. W. Jessep, vice-chairman of the board, and James Begg, of Dunedin, to come to Oamaru and place the other side of the, merger scheme before the farmers.