THE MEAT POOL.

Waipa Post, Volume XX, Issue 1243, 16 May 1922, Page 8

THE MEAT POOL.

SHOULD BE MADE 'COMPULSORY.

Speaking at Rongotea, Mr<E. Newman, M.P., said that so far it must 'be admitted that the effect of the meat pool had been £most satisfactory, but up till the present only the fringe of the question had been touched,, although with great advantage to farmers and indirectly to the whole of New Zealand. Reduced freights, freezing charges, and commissions meant more income for the country, which in these strenuous days was badly required. In his opinion the meat pool would not fulfil its function fully unless it was made compulsory. When this was done, as he hoped it would ibe next season, the Meat Export Board would hold the key to the position, and would handle the meat to the advantage of all concerned. The meat pool was a great experiment and a powerful machine, and it must be used with discretion and with justice to the consumer. He could say positively from his personal knowledge of what preceded the formation of the pool that there was no desire to create a trust in the interest of the producers alone. "There is no idea of cornering meat with a view to getting exorbitant prices for the producers without regard to the interests of the consumer," said Mr Newman. All the promoters of the pool wanted was •a reasonable price for their produce, ■so that they could make their farms pay as they did before the war." If the meat pool proved the success that he thought, it would not be long before all kinds of farm produce would be treated in the same way.