“DIFFICULT POSITION”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10957, 20 July 1921, Page 5

“DIFFICULT POSITION”

ACTING-PREMIER’S REMARK

QUESTIONED ON ARMOUR COMPANY'S OPERATIONS. MEAT COMMISSION’S REPORT. The x\cting-Prime Minister (Sir Francis Bell), asked by a “Times” representative whether the report of the Government Meat Commission is yet available for publication, stated that ho was not sure that the report had yet been presented. At any rate, die had not seen it himself. In reply to a further question as to whether lie could now make a statement in regard to the correspondence that had passed between himself and the United States Government and Armour and Co., with regard, inter alia, to the refusal by the New Zealand Government of an export license to the American company, Sir Francis Bell said:—

“1J am not in a position to say anything about it at t the moment. The position is a very difficult one at th*e present. , “I may say, however, that- while I was in the South Island over the weekend I met Mr Carney,- the manager of Armour and Col* at Christchurch, and discussed the position with him. But I cannot make any statement as to what took place. ,> fu either correspondence. UNITED STATES CONSUDGENERAL. It was stated last week that the Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. Sir’ Francis Bell) had received further communication from the United States Consul-General, conveying a protest from the American Government regarding the refusal of the Dominion Government to issue a meat export license to Armour and Co., of Australasia, Ltd., and asking for certain information.

A reply was sent pointing out that, in taccord with constitutional usage, between the United States Government and the Dominion authorities should go first tOv the Foreign Office j London, for transmission to New Zealand through the usual channels. The United States Government considers that, as the company has complied with the law® of New Zealand, it should he allowed reasonable- trading facilities.

Seen by a representative of “The Sun” at Christchurch, Sir Francis Bell stated that he would not be able to hand over a copy_ of the American cablegram for publication, as it was possible that the Consul-General would he withdrawing it. Had it rested solely with him, he would have cer.tainlv given the information to the public.