AMERICAN MEAT TRUST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 17

AMERICAN MEAT TRUST.

FARMERS' UNION ALARMED. AUCKLAND, May 24. Serious concern was expressed at the Farmers' Union Conference to-day at the statements made recently to the effect, that the American Meat Trust has commenced operations in New Zealand. Mr Mac Gill (Waiuku) said he could not say definitely that the American Meat Trust had entered into the frozen meat trade in New Zealand, but he felt convinced that the danger was a very real one. He referred to a report that the Shaw, Savill Shipping Company was controlled by the Morgan Combine, and said that if this question were looked into they would find that it was closely connected with the frozen meat trade in New Zealand. The shipping companies often assisted the freezing companies when financial crises occurred, and he had reason to believe that the Shaw, Savill Company had obtained a large control in this way. Captain Colbeck said the American Meat Trust was a very big affair, and he did not know what steps New Zealand farmers could take to prevent it operating in New Zealand. The Government should be asked to keep a watchful eye. The President (Major Luskcombe) said he was sure all the delegates agreed that it was desirable to put a check on trusts. The following remit from the Auckland branch was then passed on the motion of Mr Mao Gill : "That the union views with concern the fact as reported from London of the control of the Shaw, Savill Shipping Company by the Morgan Combine, and ae the shipping companies are so bound up with the frozen meat industry of

the Dominion, urges the Government to keep a watchful eye over the possible means of Americans' control of this very important industry of the Dominion. It was also decided to ask the Dominion conference to take the matter in hand, and bring it before the Government.