MEAT EXPORT TRADE

Southland Times, Issue 18619, 18 August 1919, Page 6

MEAT EXPORT TRADE

STORES NOT CONGESTED. STATEMENT BY SLR JOSEPH WARD(By Telegraph—Press Assn.- —Copyright.) WELLINGTON, August 15. Replying to a deputation re meat export Sir Joseph Ward said there was no foundation for the report that the stores in New Zealand were full. He expressed astonishment. that the Imperial authorities had not permitted the publication of reports of the Imperial Conference of last year. The reports and documents laid before the conference would contain everything the deputation wanted to know. The delegates drew out the fact that a profit of 3d per pound was being made on the transfer of New Zealand meat from one British department to another department. Mr Massey and himself made a very strong protest regarding this profit which was being used to balance the very high prices that the Imperial Government was paying for American meat. When the present contract with the Imperial Government expired the stores would be half full of meat. If the producers and exporters could get freedom then with enough ships fo carry on their own business under competitive conditions they would be far better off than they could be under Government restrictions. They would be able to get bitter prices than they would get under the commandeer system but there would be a trouble to be faced when the Imperial contract ended. The stores would contain some four million carcases of meat belonging to the British Government and it was not likely the British Government would allow meat that had come fresh into the stores to receive shipping space ahead of meat that had accumulated. Yet if storage space and shipping were available for stock that would come along in the ordinary course in the following season there would

be a fall in'the value of sheep throughout the dominion and this fall would interfere with industry and finance in every direction. He wouldn’t be surprised if in the meantime the British Government had to make another and higher offer for New Zealand meat in order to bridge over the j period before normal conditions could be restored. He thought New Zealand should I continue to make representations to the Imperial Government and try to get the works free in time for next season. The Hon. McDonald said full inquiry bad been made by his officers into the allegation that Australia was being better treated than New Zealand. Australia had no advantage worth mentioning except chi account of the preference given to beef over mutton and lamb. The Imperial Government wanted beef first all the time. i | REFRIGERATED TONNAGE. , _ ' STATEMENT IN HOUSE OF COMMONS, LONDON, August 14. Received August 17, 5.5 p.m. Replying to a question in the House of I Commons, Budgeman stated that the refrigerated steamers regularly employed in the Australian and New Zealand tnyie, which were diverted in 1918, had now re- : turned ' and two additional steamers bad been sent to relieve the congestion.