PRODUCE TRUSTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10965, 29 July 1921, Page 4

PRODUCE TRUSTS

“THE FIRST SQUEEZE ” NEW ZEALAND’S EFFORTS TO BEAT COMBINES. ARMOUR’S AND BUTTER. Produce marketing v-as discus&ed by tho Farmers’ Union Conference yesterday, and the discussion was based on the following, motion bv Mr J. G. Anderson (Fulorus) ; —“That this union advocates a national co-operative marketing scheme for wool, meat, and dairy produce, to be controlled by producers through boards on which the Government have representation, to be financed by special taxes earmarked for the above purpose, the balance to be used for a sinking fund, etc., for a Government loan to provide a Dominion shipping line, the said line to be controlled by representatives of each of the above industries, together with representatives- nominated by the Government.” Air Anderson hoped that something would be done to combat the trusts. The boards suggested could consist of five representatives, and he thought the Government should have representation. The committee could sit permanently in London. Dairy, farmers were on a good wicket now, but he had had it officially from Sir Francis Bell that Armour and Co. were already beginning negotiations to deal in. dairy produce. The dairy farmers would be in the same position as the sheep fanners had been unless they took some means to protect themselves.

NATIONAL MARKETING SCHEMEMr W. J. Poison (Fordell) seconded ‘ the motion. All knew vhat the trouble was: the trusts and combines had con* trol at the English end. The trusts had control of the markets and shops. The producers of New Zealand must have their retail shops as well as the other links in the chain. Air W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) supported the motion. Our experience of the trusts had only begun; they had just given us the first squeeze. Unless something were done a quarter of the farmers of New Zealand would be bankrupt in two years. Mr T. Moss said he could give considerable information or the operations of the trusts and the efforts their representatives made to. divert farmers from, the wisest path.. He could quite believe we had had onlv the first squeeze. Mr AY. Al. Mulholland (North Canterbury) thought the farmers should organise a gigantic marketing scheme; they needed a marketing association. After further disoussion it was resolved, on the motion of Air R. DDuxfield (Alorrinsville) : “That this union advocates a national marketing scheme for wool, meat and daary pro-* duce, to be controlled by producers! through boards with proper powers to be obtained by legislation.” RETAIL SHOPS IN ENGLAND. Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) moved: “That, in view of the fact that the present slump in New Zealand meat, values was brought about at a period when, the retail prices of same on the English market were, according to official data, on the increase, shows thatthe slump is not justified and that neither the consumers in England nor the producers in New Zealand are benefiting by it; consequently this conference would urge for the favourable consideration of the farmers in this Dominion tho question of forming a -Producers* Association with the object ‘inter alia of:

“(1) Establishing retail shops for; the sale of their meat in England. “(2) Establishing some system by 1 which the producers can drew a reasonable sum against their meat pend* ing its realisation in England. “(3) That, this conference is of opinion that the. present slump is being engineered by the big meat combinationa operating in New Zealand and Eng-j land, and the Now Zealand Government} should be urged to see that everything! possible is done to eliminate them out! of our meat trade.’.’ Air Lysnar advised the union to concentrate its attention against the, truste. The slump at Home had been] deliberately engineered. Were the fans-? ers going to allow the truste to con-; tinue to damage them and damage the* Dominion? for if the producers went down the Dominion would go down. The remedy was to have their own shops. The late - Air Seddon suggested that years ago. ' THE QUESTION OF FINANCE. Air W. J. Poison seconded the motion. He suggested that they should aim at depots to feed the retail shops; he did not think they could at present finance a chain of shops. Air Lysnar said he did not think there would be any difficulty about nance. A banker had said to him the other day: ‘‘lf you can establish your markets, I will give you a million.” That was only one bank, so there should be no difficulty about finance. However he would agree to amend the motion bj making it read “shops or depots.” 'Mr J. A. Alacpherson (Oamaru), who supported the motion, said it was of the utmost importance. What would be the good of a farmers’ shipping company if the meat was to be carried Home to get into the hands of the trusts? Tlio following committee was ttien set up to take tho necessary steps to carry out the resolution:—Messrs J. Kitchener, W. J. Poison, H. Alorrison, R. D. Duxfield, R. S. Chadwick. G. L. Marshall, D. Jones, W. 3>. Lysnar, J. A. Alacpherson and J. G. Anderson A representative of Southland is to be added, a,rid the committee has power to add to* its number.