THE MEAT TRUST

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7865, 29 July 1911, Page 17

THE MEAT TRUST

AND SHIPPING' COMPANIES. Mr J. E>. Makgill (Auckland) moved— That fho union views with concern the fact, as renorted from London, of tho control of tho Shaw-Savill Shipping Company by tho _ Morgan Combine, and as the slopping companies arc so bound up with tho frozen meat industry of tho Dominion, and urges tho Government to keep a watchful eye over the possible means of American control of this very important industry of the Dominion, and that this conference take the matter in hand and put it before tho Government. It was an important question and should receive duo consideration. Ho read extracts from shipping and other journals dealing with tho matter. Mr 11. A. Kevins (Wellington) said that certain sheep owners had combined and chartered their own ships. ■Mr J. C. Cooper (Tano) said ho did not believe there was any representative of the Moat Trust in Now Zealand. They were not buying directly nor through their agents. He believed they were making an effort to get in. but so far had done nothing. Mr Shcat: The man in tho street tells ma they aro. r Mr CVoper: Tho man in the street is wrong. I do not believe there has been a carcase bought in tho country. lie could not say what happened when tho produce arrived iu Londou. Those’who bought American frozen meat also purchased the New Zealand product. He understood that tho Americans were anxious to get a footing in New Zealand, but they were a bit frightened. Mr E. Evans (Canterbury) said it soomed that Now Zealand was in a very dangerous position. Mr Cooper explained that there was an agreement between tho shipping and freezing companies in regard to freights. Tie rates were fixed every three years. Tho freezing companies were so powerful that they could invite other shipping firms to do business if tho companies they now traded with did not agree as to freight charges. The freight was brought down to the lowest possible price, and ho thought tho present arrangement was of mutual benefit to the farmers and freezing companies. Mr J. Talbot (South Canterbury) said it would not do any harm to draw tho Government's attention to the matter. Major Lusk (Auckland) said if there was anything in it, and ho believed there was, it was just as well to nip it in the bud at once. Mr Sheat (North Canterbury) said if fho man in the street, who was in tho ‘'know,' 1 could inform him that thousands of carcases were being bought by the trust, under cover of local buyers, it was up to the conference to do all in its power to fight against trusts and combines of tho nature mentioned. Mr E Evans (Canterbury) said ho was absolutely sure that somo big firms at Homo were the bull and bear. They did not live in New Zealand, but had plenty o£ money all tho same. Mr Vavasour (Marlborough) said the formation of producers’ associations would go a long way towards exposing any movements in relation tomcat trusts and combines. Tho motion was carried.