MEAT TRUST MENACE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14787, 14 December 1918, Page 5

MEAT TRUST MENACE.

[Elcc. Tel. Copyrlgbt^Unlted Press Assn.

MELBOURNE, Dec. 13. lv the Senate Mr O'iveel'e suggested a co -operation on the Australian and Argentine Governments with the New Zealand Government m fighting' the Meat Trust. Senator Milieu, m replying, stated that he thought the Interstate Commission had reported that there was no evidence of the operation of the Meat | Trust m Australia.

Given a .-farmer, a draft of sheep, and two buyers, and let one of the offer for the sheep 3d per head more than the other — with whom 'will the farmer close? With the buyer who offers 3d more. This is what has been going on since well before the war, and during all the time the exports of frozen meat have passed' through one buyer, the Imperial Government, at scheduled rates — rates which certainly do not .wiii'mnit m themselves the high prices that have been paid for the animal on the hoof. Why, then, this philanthropy on the part of the buyer? It is not easy to give the answ,er; 'but this much, may be said, the farmer (as a class) to-day is receiving what he will have to pay back m the ■near, future when the Government purchase comes to an en>d, wlien the meat is otice more upon the open' market. Thie Slaughtering and Inspection Amendment Bill wliich was before Parliament yesterday may appear drastic enough ; but, m a. battle 'of "■wits the great American meat interests will be found doughty figh tiers. Alone New Zealand could not win, or even hold its own, so long as outlets for the meat have to be sought for -overseas ; but with the co-operation of the BritisTi and United States/ Governments, interested m securing their people's food r supplies at reasonable prices, much could be done to ensure the producer of this country fair a.md just treatment and a legitimate return for his, capital and enterprise, f Insulated tonnage m sufficiency, and' at equitable freight rates, forms an integral part of any scheme to he. devised to preserve producers directly, and this country as a whole, from exploitation. The sihip 7 ping aspect of the question must m no circumsta.rices be lost sight of. Parliament appears to be alive to the true state of affairs as to the Meat Trust menace. Let it not make the charaoterisfcic. British .mistake at the outset of underrating the strength of the enemy. —Wellington Post. . -