THE MEAT POOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10281, 7 January 1922, Page 3

THE MEAT POOL.

. MINISTER'S STATEMENT.

WELLINGTON, January 4. The following statement, was made to-day by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Nosworthy): "Communications have reched me from farmers in various districts •which indicate that the risk exists of misapprehensions arising as the result of the over-zealous efforts of those associated with interests which have thought fit to oppose, the meat pool proposals. It is necessary once more to make it clear to producers that these proposals are made wholly and. solely in their interests and that, as poinded out by the Prime Minister, tho pool will be a producers' pool, controlled by them and managed on their behalf by the best business men obtainable.

"There was never a time in the history of the Dominion when so great a necessity existed for all producers to come together and act with one mind and with the one object of safeguarding their own interests against the encroachments of trusts, whose aim is to secure control, directly or indirectly, with the olie object of safeguarding of the iiteat which is produced through the labour and enterprise of our farmers. "The pool proposals, providing as they do for one central producers' controlling body, and one seller only of New Zealand meat, would afford a greater measure of protection than anything else. It is particularly noticeable that the only criticism which so far has come to light is of a destructive nature and that no one has been able to put forward any suggestions for improvement or for any alternative scheme which will afford the protection to producers' interests, which the present day posi- J tion demands. "Petitions are being circulated for signature by farmers asking for the right to sell their stock how and when they please, bearing proposals upon the sale of stock on the hooks by farmers. This has been and is 'being fully considered.' Pending elaboration of all working letails, farmers would be well advised not to sign these petitions, seeing that they may be described as attempts at flank attacks upon the stronghold of the producers' interests, which the pool is intended to establish.

"The Government is desirous o t f having the whole question fully and frankly discussed, with full consideration for every aspect. It has hut one definite principle of safeguarding the producers of the Dominion against the aggression of powerful outside organisations. This must never be lost sight of or allowed to he clouded by side issues. "There should be no misapprehension of the position. The producers must either come together for thenown protection or place themselves, ;so far as the export trade is cohv <cerned, at the mercy of outside, ltrusts. The matter is in their hands :and with a united body of producers Ibehind it the Government will be in a position to act strongly and decigivc*y." f ...... u.

Meetings of farmers at Faiiiic, I iVhakatane, and Masterton passed resolutions in favour of the compuF sory meat pool. Meetings of fanners at Lawrence, Invercargill, Winton, and Nelson, favoured the proposed meat pool. A Palmerston South meeting was in Savour of the poql being made optional. Mr W. F. Evans, secretary Teinuka and Geraldine A. and P. Association, received a telegram from the Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister of Agriculture, asking the Association to co-operate with the Farmers’ Union, and co-operate in the election of a delegate to the Producers’ Conference to be held in Wellington on Tuesday, 10th January, to discuss the meat proposals.—Mr John Paterson, Winchester, has been appointed the Association’s and Farmers’ Union delegate.