PAYMENT ON THE HOOKS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14555, 16 March 1918, Page 6

PAYMENT ON THE HOOKS.

THE MEAT QUESTION

The Auckland district forwarded thu following letter, on the matter of tin 1 sale of meat on hooks, which was reail' at the meeting of ftie Farmers' Union this iiCtetiioon :— I "With further lelerenci: to this matter, the subject, was brought before the Hon. W. D. !>. Mac Donald, Mm'- ' ister of Agriculture, some time ago by the executive, and lie replied, informing us Wnat the terms and conditions of the I sale of meat by the Imperial Govern- ! meat were submitted to a conference of producers, and those interested, and the .same were aooepted, inferring that as the producers had made the bargain we nuust stick to it. The best way to dent : with this matter would be for you to send 1 a remit to fche Provincial Conference, as it is so near, and if passed there, will go to the Dominion Conference, and will thus have the tw\\ weight of the union behind it." The chairman said this matter couJd be forwarded as a remit to the conference, j Mr. Bridge said that as the arrangements were made as f.o.b. they would have to stick to them, but the farming community did not think they would have to^wait so long for payment. Mr. Steele suggested that enquiriesbe made who was the representative' when those terms were at. The chairman considered the time was opportune for further action being taken m the matter. Mr. Steele said the effect had been generally that farmers had sold stock to agents instead of retaining the stock. The chairman said there were so many agents that it was a difficult matter to learn who were operating for the trust and who were liot. Mr.- Kent said he did not think the branch had any representative; and further enquiries m this direction should bo made m this matter first. Mr. McLean said he would like to see thn remit go forward, as otherwise it would be too late for tho conference. It was decided to instruct the secretary to ascertain who was responsible for the arrangements and what led up to Mr. Steele said that farmers were under the impression that the meat would be shipped within three months, but when twelve months passed and no meat was shipped, the farmer was losing interest on the money, and he was of the impression that the clause was introduced by some of tl^ freezing works. On the motion of Mr. McLean, seconded by Mr. McCallum, it was decided to call a special meeting to consider the •reparation of the remit.