MEAT EXPORT TRADE

Wairarapa Age, 28 July 1936, Page 5

MEAT EXPORT TRADE

CONTROL BY PROnUffRRH’ BOARD. CONTRAST WITH ARGENTINE. “Whilst welcoming the competition of overseas interests in the Dominion/’ the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board observes in its annual report, “the board has always realised that the position must be watched to see that a healthy competitive atmosphere is maintained. To-day the farmer can sell his fat stock either at the schedule prices offered, on the hoof on the farm, or on the hooks at the freezing works. If he is dissatisfied with the prices offered by buyers in the Dominion he has facilities in every district for killing and shipping on his own account, ana so testing the London market for himself. The board has also kept the shipping arrangements in its own hands, and has provided that the small farmer shipping on his own account, is charged the same freight as the largest operator.” It is added that the board has always kept in mind the interests of the meat producer in making recommendations to the Minister of Agriculture regarding the transfer of a meat export slaughterhouse licence, or alterations or additions to freezing works. “It may even be necessary to restrict competition which may temporarily give farmers a higher price,” the report remarks, “as what is called ‘free competition’ now may only be a prelude to no competition in the near future. ’ ’

Commenting on the position which has obtained for years in the Argentine, where the big meat packing firms have had control over freezing space and also shipping, and where the farmer has had no choice in the disposal of his stock except by selling to the big firms operating there, the report continues:— “Considerable dissatisfaction existed amongst the Argentine farming community as to the prices they received from the overseas interests operating there. Drastic powers have now been taken by the Argentine Government to deal with the position, but the damage has been done and it may be extremely difficult to put right. New Zealand must take warning from the Argentine and not allow the' same position to develop here. The board has definitely fixed its policy against excessive control of freezing works by overseas interests, and to this extent it must be realised by the New Zealand owned freezing companies that they have an immense privilege given to them by the Government and the Meat Board.”