EXPORT MEAT TRADE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14927, 1 September 1910, Page 4

EXPORT MEAT TRADE.

FREEDOM OF COMPETITION. POSSIBLE NATIONALISATION. ■ r (FBOM. Ona Oww Cohrespondent.) - '■ WELLINGTON, August 31. In replying to a question in the House to-day, the Hon. T. Mackenzie made an important statement in reference' to the meat industry. " The importance of freedom of competition to the meat growers,", tie said, " and to . those interested in the meat trade in New Zealand is such that should any American combination endeavour to • control the New Zealand meat market the House, will be consulted as to wh&thcr the whole export meat trade of this country should not be nationalised. The Preventing of Trusts Bill will be introduced at an early date." Mr Mackenzie said that he had communicated with the Consul in the .Argentine'for Ife'w Zealand, who said the Americans .tried, t,o,.acquire'.some .if the important meat works there, but evidently .they had hot been successful.. The Argentine peopleseemed to be satisfied with the dividends which they were getting. A Home report, had stated that it was just possible that in the future the Americans with their vigorous methods might move in the direction of securing combination. The Government, he continued, was quite alive to the necessity of seeing that no undue combination was allowed to arise in New. Zealand. At one time when -he . represented the meat trade m.the Old Country he had oome to think that the industry should.be nationalised,- and he had.gone into details of a scheme. . Referring to the statement of a gentleman now residing in London that the careless-'dressing of New Zealand meat was responsible - for i the price failinp-tfor it was biripging 2d a'stone less than it would Mr Mackenzie saicl he haidly'credited'"iC ' It. might.;be.' a•" try on otf'ihe,pait of the' buigrsi