AMERICAN MEAT TRUST.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12464, 25 May 1911, Page 6

AMERICAN MEAT TRUST.

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, last night. Serious concern was expressed at the Farmer*' Union Conference to-day, itt a statement made recently to the effect that the American Meat Trust has commenced operations m New Zealand. Mr Mac Gill (Waiuku*) said he could not say definitely that the American. Meat Trust had entered into the frdzen meat trade m - New Zealand, but he felt ; convinced it had, and the danger was a very real one. He referred to the report that the Shaw-Savill Shipping Company Mas controlled by the Morgan combine, and said that if this question were looked into they Mould Und that it Mas closely connected Avith the frozen meat trade m New Zealand. The shipping companies often assisted the freezing companies when a financial crisis occurred, and he had reason to believe that the Shaw-Savill Company had obtained* large control m this v?ay. Captain Colbeck said the American Meat Trust M-as a very ,big affair, and h9 did not know what steps the New Zealand farmers could take to prevent it operating m New Zealand. The Government should be asked to keep a watchful eye. . • The President (Major Lusk) 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 passed, on the motion of Mr Mac Gill: "That the union view,s with concern the fact as reported from l/ondon of the control of the ShawSavill Shipping Company by the Morgan combine, and as the shipping companies are no bound up with the frozen meat industry of the Dominion, urges the Government to keep a watchful eye over the possible means of American control of this important industry of the Dominion."

It was also decided to, ask the Dominion Conference to 'to-ke-'the matter m hand, and bring it before the Government. ■ '. '