THE MEAT POOL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18455, 17 January 1922, Page 3

THE MEAT POOL.

RUMOURS OF ABANDONMENT. MR MASSEY’S EMPHATIC DENIAL.' (From Opr Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, January 16. The Prime Minister gave an emphatic denial in the House of Representatives tonight to a report that the Government intended to abandon the meat pool scheme. He stated that the necessary legislation would be introduced during- the present session, and that he believed the scheme had already been of substantial benefit to the producers. The subject was mentioned first by Mr W. D. Lvsnar (Gisbome), who asked if the Prime Minister was aware that there were persistent rumours in circulation to the effect that the proposed meat pool would not be proceeded with, ahd that the committee and the Government were looking for an excuse to abandon the whole project. The member asked for definite information on the following points:— (a) Will the Government, before this session closes, bring down and pass the necessary legislation to canjy out the resolution of the Farmers’ Conference for a compulsory pool of all meat for export! (b) When can the producer* who desire to take advantage of the scheme at the earliest possible opportunity obtain advances against their meat? Many of the farmers were unable to get advances on their meat at the present time, said Mr Lysnar, and were in a very serious financial position. ' They were depending on the Government to push the scheme through so as to give them immediate relief. and in some oases to save them from bankruptcy. The extent to which the statement had been circulated was shown bv the fact that a leading meat firm had cabled from England at the end of last week- to know if it were true that the meat.pool proposal had been abandoned. The Prime Minister replied that the report that the scheme was being abandoned was absolutely incorrect. _ It was without the very slightest foundation in fact. He thought that the rumour had come from people with whom the wish was father, to the thought. He thought that the events of, the last week or two, including the increase in the price of moat, the reduction of the cold storage charges in London, and the reduction of freights proved that the scheme had done a great deal of good already. The members of the Producers’ Committee and the members of the House associated with them had met every day last week, and they were meeting again this week. The legislation required in connection with the pool would be introduced during the present _ session, and he hoped it would be passed into law.—(Hear, hear.) 'He could pledge himself as Leader of the House that the legislation would be forthcoming. The finance would be taken in hapd as soon as the details of the scheme had been arranged. The finance would not be hurried or dealt with lightly, but he would take steps to provide whatever finance might he required during the prof sent session. . Mr Witty (Riocarton) asked if the Prime Minister could indicate what form the scheme was going to take. Mr Massey replied that he was not a member of the committee. He knew that the committee was doing very well. SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE ON THE PROPOSALS. An outline of the Government's meat pool proposals, which, include a levy of a shilling a hundred on sheep, was given by Sir Thomas Mackenzie to a Lyttelton Times reporter on Saturday. Replying to a question as to what was being done now that the committee • had, been set up, Sir Thomas Mackenzie said that he had heard before leaving Wellington that they were devoting tliemaalves very earnestly to the work of trying to smooth out some of the knotty points. As far as ho could learn they were desirous of putting the matter on a lair basis, although in the meantime, he understood, they had suspended the compulsory pool. “ Wbai organisation is planned to carry out the scheme?” Sir Thomas Mackenzie Was asked. ■ “ It is sajd,” he replied, “ that they intend to have a board comprising seven or eight members in New Zealand and that they are to have a board of three or possibly lour in London, and that communications have been opened, up for recommendation of those suitable ‘ in England to do the Work.” “Have they fixed the remuneration?’ “X -believe they , have. I don’t know quite what they are doing regarding this end, but I hear they propose giving salaries up to £SOOO for the Homo men.” / “Will that amount be contributed by the Government or is it a farmer’s contribution?” .... . “Well,” said Sir Tfaonftafl, ifc is said they are levying a shilling per hundred on the sheep. 1 don’t know what they are going to do about the cattle," but probably there will be a contribution from that also. Replying to a further question Sir Thomas said that he thought the matter of the Home end management would, after all, come back to an advisory agency in London end the use of the present channels. He had always thought that if they separated the trade and produce department from the High Commissioner’s office and got a thoroughly competent and experienced many-someono who had l actually bandied and sold the meat in the United Kingdom and on the London market—it would be possible, with the assistance of some of the staff who at present did that work, and perhaps a smart secretary, to do all that was required. It would be necessary to have Government backing in London. The sum of £SOOO should pay for all expenses in connection with the matter, the Government giving the use of a floor in the High Commissioner’s office-for the purpose. The man concerned would report to a body in New Zealand appointed by the Government —say a Minister for preference, and one- member to be appointed by the agricultural and pastoral interests, and another by the Chambers of Commerce and any other interests that were greatly concerned in the sale, handling, and consumption of the meat. This-..would ensure that the reports , sent out from Home would - be duly considered. ■ . ■ ‘T think a shilling a hundred will provide much more than is required,” said Sir Thomas. “Of course, you may establish a very expensive office, and the man in charge might profess to be doing a great deal; but bringing it down to bedrock they must either use the existing channels, such as are offered to them just now by ‘ astute agents at Home, or they must nave an alternative scheme of their own for distribution, which would be an exceedingly expensive and probably a difficult problem to carry out.” Regarding the Home appointment. Sir Thomas was asked whether he thought ;t wise to have a man in England to represent Now Zealand interests with the British atmosphere about him. Ho replied in the negative, remarking that the appointee ought to be a practical man conversant with both ends, and half the salary proposed would secure all that was required in the interests of the dominion. “Would they get a man of that experience for half the salary?” he was asked, “Yes, certainly/’ he replied. “When I returned to the dominion I said that rny services were at the disposal of _ the producers here . if they were required, and there' has been considerable evidence that my services are wanted by the farmers; but as soon as these suggestions go to Wellington nothing more is heard of them. A , great deal more is required ■ than merely representing the meat interests. They might get a good meat man, but there is wool, grain at times, and, I hope, fruit and dairy produce, which -all require to be dealt with. 1 should think the sum to be levied on sheep should not exceed 3d per 100, which would, be ample for ail purposes.” Sir Thomas was asked whether he thought a compulsory pool could bo enforced. “I believe compulsion is necessary in grading the small quantities that formerly have gone Home, under different brands,” he replied. “That has been a great drawback to us in handling meat; but to make all compulsory involves so many considerations, including finance, that I think it would be exceedingly difficult to carry out. and I think the committee is recognising that also, inasmuch as they say that established businesses like Bortnwick’s and others must be recognised, which shows that they are now appreciating the seriousness of the problem before them. ‘ That probably accounts for their suspending its operations in the meantime. But a great deal of other work can bo done. After all, I think the great consideration is the handling in_ London. There is a great opportunity if it is only capably handled, but you must be sure you aire not asking the farmers to make a big contribution -which will bo largely spent on the continuance in office of a number of men who are really not nequired.” SOME ORIGINAL SUGGESTIONS. TO THE EDITOR. gm, In every paper wo read these hard times we see something about out Government meat pool. As a farmer I know a good deal a£out the ways out Government

has dabbled in nearly every branch of our productive industry, and I have never known it to give us a square deal or do anything vet in a business way such as any practical business man would carry out to advantage. I think it will bo a very bad day for New Zealand farmers if the Government gets the handling of our meat. Why does not the Government help the farmers by cutting down wages, etc.', which are the chief cause of the trouble, and do away with the Arbitration Court, whiejh puts up wages continually <md encourages labour unions to cripple all industries ? If the Government gets hold of the meat it will mean that there will be plenty of fat salaries for men who know practically nothing about the business. Such has happened on our control boards set up by the Government, which have been a groat expense to the country, and have not. been productive of good. It will be a bad day for thousands of “tied” farmers, financed by firms trading in stock and gram, if the Government controls the export of meat. How are- the firms to carry on farmers without a proper market? Most firms have Thousands of pounds of public money, chiefly supplied by farmers who have had it to invest, or who, having sold out, have Invested all thev had to spare in the firms, and are relying on their interest from these firms for their living. If these firms arg forced into liquidation it will bring disaster to the country all round, and thousands will be out of work. If the Government wants to help-the fanners —and God knows most of us require help—it should bring the prices of everything possible to the 1907-1908 level, when the prices of stock, etc., w’ere about the same as they are this year. In the first place the Government mould finance a shipping board, such as the Hawke’s Bay fanners have for shipping their produce, etc. Then it should cut down all firms’ profits on fertilisers, which every former requires who keeps fat st6ck, and who cannot afford to pay from £9 to £l2 per ton for his supplies. Take the income tax off all firms selling fertilisers, eta. at the 1908 rates, and tax those heavily that arc keeping the prices up above the 1908 level. Then discharge hundreds of highly-paid Government officials, who can be done without, either superannuating them or dismissing them from their jobs. Cut down indentors’ commission from to !0 per cent, on all clothing, foodstuffs, boots, etc., and cut clown the profits of tradesmen to 30 per cent, above the cost of working. Then, bring all railway rates, fares down to the 1908 level, and try and abolish labour unions instead of encouraging them by Arbitration Courts. If strikes’ occur, there arc plontv of hard-up farmers who would be of use. and there are plenty of immigrants coming to the country to fill jobs that were held bv strikers. 1 hero is no doubt that there would be a lot of trouble to get things in line again, but it will have to be done sooner or later, and the country would bo on a sounder footing than will be the case if the Government gets control of our meat. Our products at present are at a good payable price at Home if wages and other charges .were not so high, if they were at the 1908 rates instead of those of. 1922. I have been looking through returns of lambs and . wethers shipped in 1907 by me. The'cost of lamb at per lb was lid and that of - mutton was l|d against 4d per'lb this year. Our bank rates should be cut down to the lowest possible rate, and other, money-lend-ing institutions should not be allowed more than 8 per cent, profit above working expenses.—l am, etc., A Farmer. Clinton, January 12.