THE MEAT FREEZING INDUSTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 117, 22 May 1946, Page 4

THE MEAT FREEZING INDUSTRY

■yiIERE was a time, not very long ago, when the farmers of this Dominion expressed grave concern regarding the hold which the “American Meat Trust”—the term was used loosely—was securing over the export meat industry of this country. It was feared that the industry would find its export trade controlled by those who secured the freezing works, and that the experience of the graziers in the Argentine would be repeated in New Zealand. During the regime of Mr. Massey a measure was placed upon the Statute Book with a view to checking this anticipated danger. Meanwhile the Labour Party was vigorous in its denunciation of trusts, combines, mergers and magnates. It appeared that, with •so large an array of opposition, no trust, would ever succeed in securing even a foothold in this country, let alone a stranglehold. How distant that day appears to be to-day! The farmers, after having maintained their desire to secure the. control of their product from grassland to consumer, failed to support Mr. Lloyd Hammond’s proposal—after having previously endorsed it—to purchase the meat works owned by the Wellington Meat Export Company. They followed this up by failing to support him as a member of the Meat Board when he was pursuing the policy which the Farmers’ Union had itself expounded. Evidently the farmers cannot be relied upon to back up either their own policy or their leaders in the matter of the meat export trade.

Now it is reported that Swifts are about to purchase a controlling interest in the Wellington Meat Export Company. What is the policy of the farmers in respect to this proposed deal ? They arc not now in a position to ask public men to voice a protest, anil what heed is likely to be given to any protest that may he voiced on their behalf? Meanwhile the. Labour Party seems to have forsaken its philosophy of opposing’trusts and combines. Who cares anyway!