MEAT FOR EXPORT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17654, 2 September 1919, Page 4

MEAT FOR EXPORT.

A SERIOUS QUESTION.

EXTENSION OF ACCOMMODA

TION URGED.

CRUX OF THE MATTER,

SHORTAGE *OF SHIPPING

Az a meeting of ttie council of thi Chamber of Commerce last niJfct.sev. eral aspects of the meat expo^Q'ueation were discussed

A report was made by Mr Allan Robinson, who attended the recent conference held at Palraerston North. to discuss the question.

Mr Robinson said it was obvious if ships could not be secured to take New Zealand produce away the Dominion would be in trouble,, and in that case it would be better to have an extension of the commandeer. It was possible that they would get through and not be in a worse position than at present, but that was questionable. The important matter was shipping.

Mr E. A. Campbell said the Ministers gave a great deal of attention to the deputation that proceeded to Wellington. The deputation- received all the information they could give, but what was emphasised was the enormous cost of shipping at the present time. . . ONE GREAT DRAWBACK. Proceeding. Mr Campbell said one great drawback was that some men taking a prominent part had only been in the business live or six years when everything had been flourishing. They had not had experience of the stressful times when ruination was staring the New Zealand producers in the face, when 5 x/z d was paid for lamb which afterwards was sold for 3d and 3 % d at Home. There were some of the opinion that it was against their interests that the Government at Home should commandeer the meat, but personally he was convinced it was a God-send and would continue to be if they would take it for another year. It meant prices were assured, producers knew what they would get, freezing companies knew what they could give, speculation in the trade would be stopped, and in the end the works would have more chance of sufficient space to overtake the business^ in New Zealand. The Dominion was hampered for shipping before the war, and how could they expect that /the position would be normal in twelve months when the number of ships trading1 to New Zealand had been reduced from 99 to 55. Continuing, Mr Campbell sjajd there were other phases he would not go into. If a committee went Home it would do no harm and might1 do a lot of good. They had an AgentGeneral at Home who had had • experience of the business and he had been doing his best to keep the Government informed. One person prominent in the movement had been stating the stores at Home were full. The Prime Minister had been advised that there was space for 200,000 tons of meat in England, a little over a quarter of the storage. It was suggested that ships could riot be sent out because there was no place to put the meat when, it got Home. It Would be better if the English Government made ati offer, but they were not likely to do so unless pressure was brought by the New Zealand Government to do so. It would be in the best interests of all if an endeavour was made to get the English Government to commandeer tne meat as before, t^v '■ ' . ■•■. ■ Wt^ - the other aspect. "What would be the position if they did not. take our meat?" said Mr Campbell. "People talk about doing this and doing that. We had our meat here and unless we had got shipping hundreds offarmers would have been bankrupt. Now within 14 days they get cash for v,'ool—a great deal quicker than they ever got it before—and they get 75 per cent, on the meat in the works within six months. We have neither interest nor storage to pay. Fancy the position we would have been in if the meat had not been commandeered. It is the rich men who are calling out now, but that is not the poor man's cry." In reply to a question Mr Robinson said the idea was New Zealand meat should be commandeered, probably at an enhanced value. It was urged New Zealand meat should be put on the Home market at a price that would not result in profit or loss. They did not wish to hamper the Imperial Government in any way. The most serious thing was ships to take the meat away, tf the producers suffered it would re-act on the towns. Mr Campbell had sounded the right note that the Im- <: perial Government should commandeer it. They then would know the position exactly. BUTTER AND CHEESE. >„ Mr Campbell said the position for butter and chese was more serious. If it was not commandeered and not shipped what would be the position in New Zealand? What would be the position of people who had paid £100 and £130 an acre for land for dairying purposes? Mr W. Brown said it had been stated people in England were not eating as much meat as before the war. The fact there was 200 tons of. storage showed there was a shortage, Of meat. Shipping was the crux. Mr Harris asksd if the Nqw Zealand meat was offered on its merits | instead of being pooled, would it be absorbed? ;.' ""■ Mr Kobinson said it was an aspect that neither the Prime Minister nor Sir Joseph Ward cared to say much about. It appeared that meat Avent through various channels and an accretion of value was put on.. The people of England would eat just as much meat and if they could get it within the power of their purse,.they wotild take it.

Mr Robinson was tendered a- vote of thanks for his report on the conference at Paimerston North.