MEAT COMMANDEER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14128, 28 May 1920, Page 6

MEAT COMMANDEER.

TO BE DISCONTINUED. f At the meeting of? producers m \\ elliugton yesterday the Prime Minister stated tliat he had that morning received an important, telegram from the Secretary of State, who said that His Ma jestv'’s Government had felt bound to re-examine the situation. The amount of mutton in store was very excessive, and every effort was being made to deal with an abnormal situation. No ships were awaiting: discharge through lack of storage. Increased consumption was following on a substantial reduction in price. In spite of all that, there was no reasonable prospect that consumption at Homo could overtake supply, and there was every prospect that 'that the over-supply of the market would continue well into 1921. “His Majesty's Government is therefore reluctant to increase its commitments -by any purchase in respect ot 1920-21 season, which would only increase the difficulties in dealing with sup'pliojs. Fur,ciha.se) ‘wou t ldy in out. opinion, only increase the difticultifies likely to be experienced in conducting the new season’s operations. For these reasons His Majesty’s Government does not see its way to depart from the position of March 13. “We are up against it,” said Mr Massey, after reading the cablegram,, “and it is just as well to know what the position is. The commandeer ends on June 30, and there is not the slightest chance of having it renewed. It is just as well to know it, so that the best arrangements will be made. Tl, was estimated that at the end of December the Imperial Government would have in store here 3,000,000 carcases. By that time the new season s killing would have commenced. Nobody could bo certain as to what ships would be available, but he believed that space would be available for from two to two and a-half million carcases. Mr Massey added that since March, 1015, producers had received oil account of Imperial supplies £138,000,000 and there was £3,000,000 or £10,000,000 to come. The commandeer was the best arrangement tliat could ever hav e happened to New Zealand. They had now to attend to their own business, and ■ret back to pre-war conditions. the Government is not, going to let, the producers down,” he added. (Hear, hear.) “I have not had au opportunity or put tin" a recommendation before Cabinet, but I know the opinion of my colleagues, and they are all concerned in the welfare of the producer. I want you to take the opportunity of meetin n- together, and set up a Finance Committee, and tell the Government what you want. When we know vour •requirements, to a reasonable extent tne guarantee of the Government will be placed behind the producers umil the Imperial meat is disposed oft (Applause.) I do not think the Imperial Government will insist on getting the last carcase of meat out of the stores before wo can send our own meat to London. I believe they will allow part of our moat to be sent to London before their meat is totally discharged. T want to assure you that we hud outsclves in a difficulty. We are all producers; all interested m the output of our produce, and if this meeting O ' ox perieuced men can suggest anything to ease the position and preserve the interest of the producers, the Government will be quite willing to act up to it.” (Applause.)