MEAT CONTRACTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 13904, 4 November 1919, Page 7

MEAT CONTRACTS.

NEW ZKALANI> COMF.S SECOND. fly Teh-graph. (Special to the Oamnru Mail.) WELLINGTON, November '.\. The Premier announced in flic House m-iinv that he l.al .-■.(.('"od a cablegram'from the iLgh Co." inissioner in regard to 'be probability -of extending" the- lneai requisition stating that the British Hoard of Trade had given attention to the matter, but it must be considered in relation to the negotiations now proceeding with Australia and Hie River Plate for a. renewal of their meat contracts. When these negotiations were nearing a settlement the Board of Trade would discuss with the-Ministry of Food Control on the question of a New Zealand coot raet Mr Massey remarked that apparently the English authorities, for some reason he failed to understand, had arrived at the conclusion that 'New .Zealand was to fake second place. He made the information public so that the New Zealand producers could make up their minds whether it was desirable to renew the contract or take the risk of placing their meat on the London market. Sir Joseph Ward said it was a most important matter for the New Zealand meat grower, who should not. be left out of the negotiations until Australia and River Plate were set-v tied with. Australia, was bargaining" for 2d a pound higher than formerly. Mr Massey : They' won't got it.

Sir Joseph Ward went on to refer to the importance of the negotiations upon the shipping supply, as if other countries made contracts the British Government would give them preference in shipping. Mr Massey agreed that this was a. phase which required careful watching. The English authorities should be made to clearly understand that New r Zealand would not take' a. secondary place to other countries. Wc wanted at least as good a. price in proportion to what* we had received previously, which was slightly higher than Australia, or Argentine.