MEAT TRUST MENACE

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160731, 18 August 1920, Page 5

MEAT TRUST MENACE

VIEWED WITH ALARM, MAHEERTON, August 16. Scathing condemnation of the American Meat Trust and the proposal to give Armour and Co a license to operate in New Zealand was made on Saturday at a meeting of farmers at Mastertoo by Mr W. Perry, who is x.atron of the Mastorton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and a member of the Board 1 of Agriculture. Mr Perry issued a warning to the farmers of New Zealand of the danger that would arise, not only to farmers but to Hie whole ox the people of the Dominion, if the American Meat Trust got a footing in New Zealand. As the result of the findings of the Federal Trade Commission set up by President Wilson, the Meat Trust was given three years in which to .get out of America. Consequently, the trust was scouring other parts of the world in which to set up business. Mr Perry contended that propaganda was being circulated in New Zealand in order to hoodwink the farmers of the Dominion. There was no need for Armours to have a license; they could purchase meat f.0.b., and send it anywhere in the world, but that fact was being carefully hidden, from the farmer. Mr Perry said! that the fate of Nelson and Son and other companies that the trust had sent on to the rocks would be Itic fat© of farmers and of the farmers’ freezing companies once the Meat Trust got its grip of New Zealand, He moved: 1 ‘That this meeting of farmers views with alarm the efforts now being made to urge the Government to grant a meat trading license in New Zealand to Armour and Co., and would strongly ' urge the Government to do all within their power to keep combines such as the Meat Tiust from operating in New Zealand.” The meeting was thoroughly in sympathy with Mr Perry’s, remarks, and carried the resolution unanimously.