WHO ARE THE PROFITEERS?

Otago Witness, Issue 3332, 23 January 1918, Page 15

WHO ARE THE PROFITEERS?

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE AT HOME. The question of the marketing of the commandeered produce, which is not put to military or naval use, was introduced to Saturday's meeting of the Invercargill branch of the Farmers' Union by Mr Jas. Macdonald (Otautau). Mr Macdonald referred to the fact that New Zealand cheese had been commandeered, while Canada's output had been left free, and was sold at prices averaging £29 5s more than that paid for New Zealand, which meant a loss to ~tho Dominion of just under £1,000,000. Ho wanted to know who got the profits? Where did the money go? The Chairman (Mr Wm. Ford) said he understood that some of the surplus wool was sold to America at a high profit, half of which was said to go to the Imperial and half to the New Zealand Government. Mr John M'Quecn said that they seemed a little annoyed because somebody elso had been able to exploit the consumer, and they could not manage to-do so, too. He did not think it desirablo that they should enter into competition with the exploiter, who was exploiting the consumers at Home. New Zealand was getting a very good price, and they should bo satisfied. They were opt to get into their heads' ideas that someone was getting the better of them, and thoy started to hunt after those people. Bettor just to work away at their ordinary occupations—something they knew and understood,—and not to bother chasing after these exploiters. Ho made that his plan, and was satisfied to get a fair living. The troubles tliat they brought unnecessarily down upon themselves made life hardly worth living. Let them go and givo their attention to their farms. Trying to understand the laws of Nature thero would pay them far better than would chasing after somo Government—Canadian, Imperial, or their own. The farmer should study his business, and buy on the cheapest market and sell on tho dearest. Mr Macdonald: That is iusfc what I want; but we aro not allowed to sell on the dearest market. Mr M'Queen : Oh, but you are looking for Borne imaginary market. If Canada has managed to sell her cheese better than wo have—well, I say that it is a crime if Canada has exploited more than wo have, because we havo exploited fairly well.

Mr Macdonald said that Mr M'Queen was labouring under the impression that the farmer here wanted to exploit the people at -lorne. That was not the case. They had been told, when this matter came up in connec- ;■ <"<n with the purchase of their meat, that what was not wanted by the Government was to go to the civilian population _at Home. They found that it was not going direct to the civilian customer, but passed through the hands of dealers, who made a big gain on it. Mr M'Queen had got the wrong idea. It was the trade at Home that was exploiting the consumer —at least, it appeared so. The High Commissioner said that there were no excess profits being made, but New Zealand meat was being sold at Is 6d on the Home market.

Mr J. D. Trotter (Woodlands) did not agree with Mr M'Queen. Mr Macdonald referred to the recent cable about a deputation waiting on Sir Thos. Mackenzie, High Commissioner, from the New Zealand Agents' Association, complaining that the Board of Trade had distributed New Zealand meat through the Wholesale Meat Supply Association instead of through them. Here was evidence of what he had said.

Explaining the original agreement, Mr M'Queen said that the exporter had the right to nominate a Home agent to say how the of his meat should be dealt with. Evidently, in the instance under notice, these agents had been overridden, but, as the High Commissioner had remarked, it must probably havo been a war measure.

Mr Macdonald said that under this system of nominating agents the small farmer had no connection at Home. The field was left to the big exporters. Mr M'Queen: If Mr Macdonald sends stock to the Southland Frozen Meat Co. and instructs us to deal directly with the Government on his account, he can then nominate any person he chooses in London. If that meat is not required by tho Imperial authorities for tho troops, it will bo handed over to Mr Macdonald's nominee on tho terms which have been named.

' While admitting that the farmers were getting good prices, Mr Ford said that they were not-so good as they might be. The prices at which they could sell were restricted, but they found no restrictions on tho prices of what the farmer had to buy. Of course, there were some, like Mr M'Queon, who could get along comfortably as things were. But all were not so favourably placed as those. There were many struggling farmers who had many demands to meet at present, and who would havo a still harder battle to keep afloat when the war was over. Under those circumstances it was only right that if they had a grievance they should air it. This ended the discussion.—Southland Times.

SPRSNCSTON SHORTHORN HERD.

Messrs H. Matson and Co., Christchurch, report having sold to the well-known breeder; Mr J. H. Pannctt, of Springs'ton, a fashionable addition to tho Springston herd, which is already so long and favourably known—in fact, thero is hardly a herd in the South Island but what ' can claim the best part of its reputation from cattle of the Pannett herd. Messrs Pannctt have been some time endeavouring to acquire fresh blood, recognising the trend of public opinion in the shape of an increased demand for Shorthorns. With this purpose in view they instructed Messrs H. Matson and Co. to negotiate with various breeders the introduction of whose stock was likely to be of benefit to the Springston herd. Their ultimate decision rested upon the selection of a very handsome young bull, Blair Athol. first prize taker at the Wanganui and Carterton Shows. The pedigree of the bull is as follows: Blair Athol Duke 120th, by Waterloo Wide (imp.) 3034; first dam, Blair Athol Duchess 16th (4125), by Connaught 19th (imp.) 1196: second dam, Beaulicu Duchess 101st (2465), by Bolinda Duke Dorremut 40th (imp.) 875; third dam, Beauty 6th (1918), by Duke of Schamburh 2nd (754; fifth dam ; Beauty 2nd. by Albies East of Brunswick 4th (749). The bull has arrived home safely, and Mr Pannett has grea't expectations from this animal, and that his progeny will be much sought after in Canterbury. THE LONDON MARKETS. Tho National Mortgage and Agency Company, in their report dated London. November 16, gives the following information: —Hides: A steady demand for heavy and extra heavy at 18?.d to 183 d per lb. Heavy New Zealand ox, 15d to 16d per lb; seconds, 14d to 14|d; cow, 14|d to 15d. Pelts: No New Zealand pelts on hand ; but the Aparima (since torpedoed) has arrived, bringing rather more than 1606 casks, nearly all North Island freezing pelts. New Zealand crossbred heavy extra large, 78a to 84s per dozen; prime, 70s to 78s; firsts, 60s _ to 66s ; seconds, 52s to 665; halfbrcd medium substance firsts, 56s to 725; seconds, 46s to 60s. Rabbitskins:

Few parcels arriving. .For next auctions, expected to bo held in January, probably 400 bales will bo available. Selected Now Zealand winter, 5s lOd to 7s per lb; Rood winter (light pelted), 3s lOd to 5s 6d; fair to good season, 3s to 3s 10d; common and low, Is 6d to 2s lid; black and silvery, Is 6d to 6s 3d; fawn, Is 4d to 3s sd.