FARMERS PROTEST

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11650, 15 October 1923, Page 6

FARMERS PROTEST

THE VESTEY TRANSFER “COULD SQUEEZE OUT OTHER COMPANIES.” OPPOSITION UNANIMOUS. Per Association. GISBORNE. October 13. The Farmers' Union to-day discussed the position of the Meat Board and the proposal to transfer the license of the Poverty Bay Meat Works to Yestey’s. Mr Jcrisep, vice-chairman of the board, wrote that if Ycstey’s rebuild the present works at Gisborne the position would not be any better. The chairman (Mr TraffoixU said that owing to the peculiar situation of tho district Vestey’s could gain more power than in any other districts. There was not the slightest doubt that if \ estey’s had only the Gisborne Sheepfarmers' Company in opposition they could squeeze them out if they liked. If the Meat Board refused to transfer to Vcstey’s, tho Poverty Bay Meat Company might be able to reconstruct if they got time. He moved a resolution strongly protesting to the Meat Board against the transfer of the license. Mr Benson, who seconded, eaid that the resolution seemed to be the feeling of all the fanners in Poverty Bay. After further discussion on similar lines the resolution was adopted. A further resolution that no representative of a proprietary freezing company bo allowed on the Meat Board •was not persevered with, it being pointed out that if adopted by the Minister it would exclude men like Mr Jessep from membership on the board.