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3. We learn that under the provisions of the Slaughtering and Inspection Act, 1918, the Minister of Agriculture has refused to issue a meat-export license to Armour and Co., of Australasia (Limited). We believe it to be to the advantage of the industry that this company should be permitted to buy its fair proportion of our produce in open competition, and we respectfully suggest that a license should be issued to the company, to bo revoked if necessary the moment it is shown that its operations are conducted in such a way as to be detrimental to the good of the producers of the Dominion. 4. We would further respectfully suggest that the different meat-buying firms or companies operating in New Zealand should be compelled under the provisions of the said Act to send in to the Department of Agriculture monthly reports setting out the numbers and class of the stock bought, where frozen and stored, and such other information as may be deemed advisable. If it then appeared that the operations of any one of the companies or firms suggested a danger to the interests of producers the license issued to that firm could be cancelled under the ample powers given under the said Act. 5. Many of the signatories of this petition carry on business in the Canterbury District, and they believe that district will suffer more than any other if competition is restricted. If the Minister of Agriculture still deems it inadvisable to issue a general meat-export license to the said company, they would respectfully urge that a license be issued to the company subject to revocation unless the company confined its operations to the South Island. 6. Apart from their personal interest in the matter, your petitioners believe it is only just that a license should be issued to the company and remain in force until the company does something to deserve its cancellation. Wherefore your petitioners pray that a meat-export license may be issued to Armour and Co. of Australasia (Limited) under such terms and conditions as may be deemed just. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. H. D. Acland (and 107 others).

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