SAVED BY THE WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24430, 16 October 1940, Page 8

SAVED BY THE WAR

DOMINION MEAT INDUSTRY NEED FOR NEW ORDER IN EMPIRE TRADE THE ANOMALY OF WASTE The fact that, but for the outbreak of war, which caused the lifting of the embargo by Great Britain, 44,000 tons of mutton would have remained in storage in New Zealand unwanted by the world was revealed at a meeting of the Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers' Union yesterday, when an address on the operations of the Meat Board was given by Mr J. D, Revie, chairman of the Electoral Committee of the board

“ Bui for the war,” the chairman (Mr R. S. Thompson) said, “those million carcasses would have remained in our stores, and the farming community would be in a hopeless position to-day. There are 20,000,000 people in Britain who have less than 10s a week to spend on food and would have welcomed the meat. But not only was the Imperial Government prepared lo let its own people starve; it was prepared to ruin the farming industry in New Zealand. That position,” he said, “must never arise again.”

Outlining the position ot the New Zealand meat industry at the outbreak of the war. Mr Revie said that theie were 44.000 tons of surplus meat in storage in the Dominion on August 31 1939, and there did not seem to be a possible chance of disposing ot this quantity. The United Kingdom Government could not and would no take this surplus. Strenuous endeavours were made throughout the world to dispose of this surplus meat but without success. D ._ ,„ irl Then came the war Mr Revie said, and the embargo was lifted. New Zea land was thus able to dispose of this surplus meat. During the past there were, of course, no embargoes on New Zealand meat, and it was practically certain that the freezing works would be empty when the new season began.

More Storage Space Essential “There is a great need for more storage for frozen, meat in New Zealand "Mr Re vie said. “ Some freezing companies I feel sure, have not played the game. At the present time we, have only 70 per cent, storage whereas we should have 100 per cent, for our meat. The Government should make available to freezing companies all the material necessary for providing more storage space. Freezing have a grave responsibility to utilise and erect additional storage wherever possible.

“ Grave events arc happening overseas, and It is possible that we may have to face an emergency.” Mr Kevie said. “Consequently, we should have full storage for our meat in case of such a happening. The war is spreading, and the seas are becoming more and more dangerous every day. In a meat-producing country 1 such as ours it is essential to have the greatest storage possible.”

Referring to the question of meat prices for the coming season, Mr Revie said that farmers would be satisfied with the present price if there was some control of internal costs The Home Government would, no doubt, meet New Zealand in such costs as freight and shipping but it could not be expected that it should concern itself over rising internal costs. New Zealand should do that herself, and there was certainly great need for the costs to be kept down. Negotiatipns were at present proceeding regarding the prices to be paid this season, but no announcement had vet been made,

Time to Take Stock ” “ There is bne. point about Mr Revie’s address that I cannot let pass,” said Mr Thompson. “It is that, while New Zealand had 1.000,000 carcasses of mutton that she could not dispose of anywhere, there were 20,000,000 people m Britain who had less than 10s a week to spend cn food, and they would have welcomed the New f ; Zealand meat. It would have given them three square meals at least. Unless the component parts of the British Empire get together and are prepared to trade more extensively with each other we shall find ourselves in a similar position to that again ■ “It is our duty to trade to the utmost with Great Britain,” he added, “ for unless we do that we cannot expect her to take our exports. This country is only starting to produce, and there is ho question that after the war there •will be far • greater production for there will be cheaper manures and more people farming as we shall have to absorb a big number of returned soldiers on the land. It is time to lake stock of our position new.. We must make sure that no Imperial Government will see its people starve while food is kept in the colonies That cannot be tolerated and we must take steps to see that such a position will not arise again. The Meat Board should take up the matter, for it is of the utmost importance.” High Costs and Shipping Delays “ The whole position bristles with difficulties,” Mr Revie replied. “If Britain can get cheaper meat than New Zealand can produce it is natural that she will want to take it South America offers good quality meat at much cheaper rates, for they have not ■the high production costs there that we have Unless we gel a sympathetic Government in Britain it is going to be difficult for us, with our high costs, to compete reasonably with South America.”

“ Increased trade throughout the Empire is the best solution,” Mr Thompson said. “The Empire could be almost self-contained if it wanted to be.” "If Britain goes to South America for her meat.” Mr A. J Cameron said. “ she will ,not encounter the same difficulties as she experiences in New Zealand. The ships would be loaded in one-third cf the time thal would be taken in this Dominion “Out here.” he added “shipping is held up by so many pin-pricking troubles and delays that it is a wonder to me that the shipping companies continue sending their ships out to us. T understand thal some shipping companies would have taken their vessels off this' run altogether if it had not been for the war.” A member; That is quite right

" We want to clean up this end first.” Mr Cameron continued, “ and then think about the other end of the business.” •

“I am afraid you have missed my point.” the chairman said. ”1 wanted to print out that there were 20.000.000 people ;n Britain ready for the meat we had out here, and they could not get it. There is no such thing as overproduction.” “It is the inevitable result of this system which is fast breaking down.” Mr B A, Tcdd commented.

“ It all shows how much wc depend on the British market,” Mr Cameron said. “And yet in the House the other night I heard a member say: ‘We in New Zealand could live without Britain. but Britain could not live without us! ’ ”

“If an earthquake swallowed up tins country,” Mr Revie said. “ only a few bond-holdiers in Britain would be very sorry We would be forgotten in 48 hours.” “ Things are changing and it will be a different world after the war.” was the comment of a member, and this brought the discussion to a close.