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Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16044, 7 February 1920, Page 5

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MB MISSEI EXPLAINS. NEW, ZEALAND GOVERNMENT NOT TO BLAME, TOTAL PAYMENTS MWT REACH .£150,000,000. Referring, in an. interview with a N.Z. Times reporter, to certain statements which, had been made with regard to the termination of the British commandeer of New Zealand produce the Prime Minister claimed that the Government was not to blame because the Imperial Government had notified New Zealand that Hie commandeer would cease at Juno 00th,

“Ah a matter of fact,” stated. Mr Massey, “1 have over and over again expressed the opinion that it would be a good thing to continue the commandeer of meat of another year; but tharo was a very acute difference of opinion among the producers themselves, many contending that as the war was over they should bo given a free market. I predicted a few weeks ago to a deputation of dairy farmers that tie Imperial people would drop the meat and wool, but might bo willing to continue the purchase of butter for another season; but if I had been given authority I should have, been only too pleased to ask tie British Board of Trade to go on with Now Zealand meat for another season. Whether they would have done so is, of course, another matter. THE “STINKING FISH” CRY. I do think, however, that it is bad policy to speak as some have done about our meat “being in such bad condition that nobody would buy it.” That is the “stinking ksh” cry with a vengeance, and it is incorrect. A small proportion which had been too long in our stores went mouldy, but not one such carcase was allowed to leave New Zealand. Our meat is next to British-grown in the estimation of both the trade and the consumers, and there is nothing to bo gained, but a great deal to be lost, by statements to Hi© contrary. ' As to the proposed Commission, when a recent deputation asked for it I replied as follows; “With regard to the suggestion that you should send Home a committee, eo far as I am personally concerned I thoroughly agree with it. I think it would be a splendid thing to do. It would give you a lot of information, and allow of an insight into the meat trade which you could not possibly acquire on this side of Hie world. I know you are not asking for payment of expenses, but that you should be given an official position, and i think my colleagues will agree with mo that you should have it.” Asked afterwards whether the Government would pay the expenses of Hie Commission, I replied yes, if necessary, and that wo should endeavour to send Dr. Roakes, as his technical knowledge would bo exceedingly useful. The names of Mr Poison and Mr David Jones w'ore suggested as two members of the Commission, along with Mr Burrill, of Redding, but Mr Poison met with an accident and was laid up for some time, while the friends of Mr Jones did him the honour —which ho well deserved—of sending him to Parliament to lode after their interests. Since then I have heard nothing from the farmers’ organisation with regard to making other arrangements. APPROACHING THE END.

I have just one other correction to make, added the Prime Minister. It has been stated that I have said there would probably bo 2,000,000 carcases in store at the end of tho season. What I said was that there would bo 2,000,000 carcases (so far as it was possible to judge) at tho end of the year, just the difference between June 30th and December 31st. I do not need to repeat the whole of the figures, but I stand by what I said. We are now approaching the end of the commandeer. It commenced in 1915, and though there haw been many difficulties to contend with, it has, on the whole worked smoothly and well, and my estimate is that when the whole of the commandeered products have been paid for the amount will have l>een very little short of ,£150,000,000. I can only say that in the opinion of unbiased men, very often expressed to me, the arrangement was the best under the circumstances that it was possible to make, I wrote to Sir James Wilson, the president of the Board of Agriculture, and also of the Fanners’ Union, a few days ago, making certain suggestions with regard to the present position, and it may do some little good if your paper can find space for it. By the way, the question of the proposed Commission is, I am given to understand, coming up for consideration at a conference to bo held this month. So far as the Government is concerned, there is nothing to cover up in connection with any of these transactions, and I shall be glad to give full particulars at any time. SHIPPING- PROBLEM. THE PREMIER’S SUGGESTIONS.. In a letter to Sir James Wilson, president of tho Board of Agriculture, the Premier made certain suggestions in reference to surmounting the shipping problem. Ho said, in passing, tliat ho was strongly impressed with tho advisability of convening a representative conference from producers and freezing companies in order that the matter of arranging to carry on after the commandeer expired might be fully considered, and suggested that tho Board of Agriculture should initiate matters having this object in view. Referring xo slipping matters, the Premier said that tho first thing to bo done was to get the cool stores cleared of the large quantities of Imperial meat waiting for slips to carry it to British markets, but while that was being done arrangements should he made to take up the business at the stage where it was interrupted in March, 1915, and it seemed to him that the first step was to see what could be done with tho shipping companies trading between this country and Britain. Were they prepared to carry the country’s products at a fair and reasonable rate? If so, well and good. If not, then let us do what under tho circumstances seems to be the next best course; and I think a. strong committee should lie set up to look after the interests of the producers, consisting of the Board of Agriculture and representative men from the Farmers’ Unions, the A. and P. Associations, and tho freezing .companies. I have sometimes heard it said that farmers are not business men, but I must say that is not my experience. Where their own interests are concerned there are no keener business men in the world. The men of whom I am funking could hold their own .with the

representatives of the shipping combines, or iTio meat trust, or any of the other great organisations of which wo have heard no much. .Let the matter bo left in their hands to negotiate, along with a representative or representatives of the Government. WHAT STKrS MAY BE TAKEN. "If a satisfactory agreement cannot bo arrived at, and if it becomes necessary to put additional ships in the trade, then, she Government will assist to the full extent of its ability. Personally, I think if anything is done in this way the producers should at least bo part owners, because if such an undertaking is to bo a success, it will require all the support it is possible to obtain, and must 100 managed ripen thoroughly business-1 ike and systematic lines. If it is left to be fi nun cod and managed by the Government, then the development fund will bo seriously interfered with, and this will happen; contending parties will seek to outbid each other for political support. We had some experience of this sort of tiling not long ago, and the result would bo a constant reduction of freights and passenger fares until the balance-sheet showed a loss. This could not hapixm if the great bulk of the shareholders were producers, anxious for the welfare of the country in which part of their capital was invested. PABTLY STATE-OWNED SHIPS. "If it becomes necessary to start such an undertaking, the Government will do its part either by guarantee or by taking up a proportion of the shares—whichever may be decided upon. But we must do our business as sensible business men, thinking not only of our own interests, but of the greater interests of the Dominion as a whole. If wo act in this way and pull together with our full strength, there need be no fear of exploitation from any trust or combine. "I am quite sure you will appreciate the very great importance of the subject, and I shall be glad to meet representative men to discuss the position at any suitable opportunity."