WILL NOT TRANSFER W.M.E. MEAT LICENSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17756, 28 January 1926, Page 7

WILL NOT TRANSFER W.M.E. MEAT LICENSE.

MINISTER DOES NOT APPROVE PROPOSAL.

(Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, January 28. The Government has disapproved of Borthwicks’ offer to acquire the freezing works of the Wellington Meat Export Company. The Minister of Agriculture -wrote as follows to the company:— “ Dear Sir, —With reference to your application for approval of the transfer of your company’s license under the Slaughtering and Inspection Act, 1908, and the Slaughtering and Inspection Amendment Act, 1918. to Messrs Thomas Borthwick hnd Sons (Aust.). Ltd., I have to inform you that the matter was duly referred to the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, which, by Statute, is invested with power to control the meat export trade of the Dominion. The board has advised the Government that, after due consideration, it cannot see its way, on the ground of public policy, to recommend the transfer of the license in question. “ I may say that in this recommendation I concur, and therefore am unable to extend my approval to your application for the transfer of the license. I desire to make it clear that this decision is in no way intended to reflect upon the conduct of Messrs Thomas Borthwick and Sons’ (Aust.), Ltd., operations in the meat freezing and exporting business. “ Yours faithfullv, “ O. HAWKEN, “ Minister for Agriculture.” Officials of the Wellington Meat Export Company have no comment to make on the refusal of the Meat Board and the Government to grant an export freezing license to Borthwick and Sons, Ltd., which , was a condition of the acceptance of their offer to purchase the Meat Company’s works as a going concern.

The company’s directors recently interviewed .the Minister of Agriculture to ascertain the Government’s attitude as there had been considerable delay in getting the decision, and they remark it is extraordinary that the first intimation was obtained from a Wellington morning newspaper, the letter, though dated Monday, only arriving this morning. It is understood that the Wellington Company is in a position to continue freezing operations this season. Its shareholders are about to pay a fourth call of os per share. Two more calls will be necessary to bring their shares to £5 paid up, which provides the company with an additional capital of about £70,000.