THE BEEF TRUST.

Wairarapa Age, 24 September 1923, Page 5

THE BEEF TRUST.

A GROUNDLESS RUMOUR. ALLEGED ACQUISITION. The “Manawatu Daily Times” of Saturday says: — 41 Quite a lot of excited talk was occasioned at the Fcilding sale yesterday by a rumour in circulation that the much-dreaded meat trust had at last got a footing in Now Zealand by gaining control of one of the largest works in the North Island. The most sensational feature of the rumour is the alleged acquiescence of the Meat Control Board. 4 4 The story, which apparently comes from an unimpeachable source, is to the effect that one of the largest farmers’ freezing companies operating on the east coast of this island, got into trouble financially, and its bankers threatened to foreclose. Then the Good Samaritan came round the corner. He had a decided American accent, but his voice was full of tenderness, and has wallet bulging with crisp new bank notes. His very generous offer to cover the overdraft was only too eagerly snapped up by both creditor and debtor.

44 But what of the Meat; Control Board* It had blazoned abroad its determination to keep New Zealand out of the clutches of the dreaded trust. A most, commendable attitude! But the rumour yesterday was to the effect that the Meat Control Board had sanctioned the American assistance to the derelict east coast concern, which, if true, means that the trust has at last got what it has so patiently waited for. Mr Wm. Perry, who is a member of the Meat Control Board, interviewed by “The Age” last evening, said ho was unable owing to influenza to attend the last meeting of the Board, but he ridiculed the suggestion that the Board had given any such sanction as is suggested. Various Tumours have been prevalent about certain companies in the Poverty Bay district, but. so far as he is aware it is an English company that is interested, not American.