COLD STORAGE LICENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21273, 29 August 1932, Page 13

COLD STORAGE LICENCE

Sir,—The Hon. C. E. Macmillan, by his statements, re the granting of a licence to a new cold storage company at, Auckland, scorns to be torn between his public duty to refuse tho licence Rtul his private desire to grant it. His .statement : —"lt is sligbtlv difficult to reconcile the desire to protect colonial capital invested in an Auckland freezing company, and refuse the same to Canterbury capital invested in wheat lands, is an absolute misstatement of tho true position, and I trust was made thoughtlessly. Tho position of the present cold storage company in Auckland is that the co-operative butter factories have invested their cash in it, pay the storage charges, and share in any savings by reduction of those charges. The position of tho wheat subsidy is that all New Zealand consumers pay for the protection of the Canterbury farmer. Tho dairying industry in New Zealand has reached the proud position it holds in the_ world s market to-day through co-operative enterprise. I wouid ask Mr. Macmillan to remember, when this matter is being considered, that as Minister for Agriculture it is his duty to protect the New Zealand. farmers. • Roex. Smith.