COMMANDEERED PRODUCTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CV, Issue 16081, 30 September 1916, Page 10

COMMANDEERED PRODUCTS.

THE SURPLUS MEAT PROBLEM. STATOIENT OF HIGH COMMIS- '• SIONER. v !• ' -A , - . (Australian and N Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, Sept. 28. Sir ■ Thomas Mackenzie; m an infcerKBU-:, • uaid he did .not regret the-nori-conelusion of a - contract between ■ the Imperial and New Zealand Governments for. the purchase... of cheese, on the grounds, .- firstly, that ut was unfair-to commandeer produce-from one part oi the Empire while others Were allowed a free l'nn in an'open market and could get •better prices; secondly, commandj eering tended/ to destroy a trade con- ; nectlos, which it ;;vvould ; -take - years to build up, and diverted trade to Americans arid others,

. ''Apparently, some <misapprehension with- regard to meat exists,'"' lie- said. "New Zealand Jias not clearly realised that wlieriNits meat is sold it becomes tliy buyer's property. ' The committee, of which Sir Thomas Mackenzie is a meinber, framed . a policy for' the.;, sale, and distribution of surplus . meat through Sm'tlifield in such a way as to secure its distribution through pre-war trade connections. The committee was not in a position to-stipulate for selling it! oat on a- standard grade nor to-allow claims with respect, to it being up to quality. With reference to the supposed speculation Sir Thomas points out that the Board of Trade agents are al.owed 2 per cent. commission on sales. Firms supplyir.y vesta'lers are only allowed one half-penny per lb. on the prices paid to the Board of Trade agents. Searching investigation l failed to show any speculation, nor has the position of any member' of, the committee been used to advantage himself or others.

"While the Board of Trade fixed the wholesale price of New Zealand meat, British, Argentine and other meats wore not interfered with, and retail prices were eiitire'y uncontrolled, which operated to New Zealand's disadTahtage.

"Retailers able to buy our meat at a comparatively lower rate,'' said Sir Thomas. * 'can afford t-o give a higher price for free meat. Thus at one time inferior Argentine lamb realised 2£d a lb. more than New Zealand. The only alternative is for the New Zealand producer to make up his mind to sell outright to the Home authorities, and accept the subsequent fate of the meat, or to send on consignment, .giving the Board of Trade the first option for Army purposes, the surplus being placed 011 the open market. In the hitter case there is a possibility of freight trouble."

Sir Thomas Mackenzie is endeavouring to secure the-abolition of the practice „of deducting certain weights and by ' such- means- saving, .21bs-«:per. sheep and lib. per-ltvml). v • ' COLONIAL WOOL TRADEMORE TONNAGE EXPECTED.' < " ("'J']ic Times.") i The wool trades approached the.Allocation Committee i for.. additional tonnage- It is hoped - the > Government will shortly- allot-more ships to : the co'onial wool trade.