DOMINION INTERESTS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17583, 29 May 1919, Page 5

DOMINION INTERESTS.

FAKMETIS' UNION RET'ITS DJSi l-SSED.

IMPORTANT STATEMENTS BY

MEMBERS

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, May 28

! Nu.vierous matters arising out of remits parsed by (he Conference of the Wellington Province Farmers' Union were discussed with Hons. Mac Donald and Guthrie by delegates to the conference this afternoon. Questions dealt with included shipping, the operations of the Meat Trust and fixing the price for butter. INSULATED SHIPPING SPACE. Hon. Mac Donald said in regard to the question of r r-lated shipping that he did not think the Government had left anything undone in this respect. Constant representa tions had been made to Sir Joseph Ward urging that more shipping should be placed at the disposal of New Zealand. Every effort had been made to influence the minds of the Imperial authorities that the position was urgent so far as the Dominion was concerned. The president (Mr G. L. Marshall): Is it not a fact that the Meat Trust has had influences at work to divert some of the ships that should have come hero.' The Minister replied that he had been advised from England that the influences of the Trust had had no such effect at all. The same question had occurred to him after the Act of last session had been passed and it was for that reason he had had enquiries made la. the Old Country. The Trust wsm not able to interfere with the Bhipi.-ng .. osition at all. THE MEAT TRUST. In respect to the operations of the Meat Trust, the Hon. Mac Donald said an c.port license was not needed this year as companies were selling meat to the New Zealand Government, which obtained supplies for the Home Government. To him that appeared to be a weakness, but it was in accordance with the legislation passed last year. Of course, farmers could help the Government in the matter if they refused to sell meat to the Trust. However, the position had not been so severe during the war, as the Imperial Government had been purchasing all supplies of meat in the Dominion and had even had to obtain supplies from the Meat Trust itself. At the same time, the general position was serious, and he was strongly of opinion that before the meat contract with the Imperial authorities ceased a strong commission should be sent home from New Zealand to inquire into the whoie question, but they would have to await the arrival of the two leaders from the Old Country before anything could be done. Personally, he believed the Government would have to send agents abroad to look after the interests of the producers of the country. He hoped Dr. Reakes would be able to go Home within the next few months to go into the whole position. The conference had suggested that the names of representatives of the Meat Trust should be published, and he could not see any reason why that should not be done. So far as the fixation of prices was concerned, the Hon. Mac Donald knew it was a most difficult matter to deal with it. It was said here yesterday that the fixation of prices and ' vterfering with the produce of farmers were done for political purposes. That was not a fair statement. Whatever had been done had been done to protect the produce of the farmers tf this country. BUTTER AND POTATOES. The Minister went on to explain the position regarding the prices of butter and potatoes. With regard to potatoes, he said the reason the embargo had been placed on their export was that the price soared from £3 15s to £17 and afterwards to £20 per ton. He knew it was unfair to exercise drastic powers in connection with the produce of the soil, but they were living under extraordinary conditions. Food prices had gone up tremendously. Therefore, they could not wonder at industrial unrest when it was found prices increased to such an extent. It could be understood why the workers asked for more wages and why stopwork and the like meetings were held. HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER. Speaking of hydro-electric power, the Minister said it would be a good thing for the cool position in the country if cool stores were connected up with the hydro-electric power scheme. When the hydro-electric proposals of the Minister of Public Works became an accomplished facr, farmers should not rest content until every cool store in the country was connected with the power supply stations. MR. GUTHRIE'S VIEWS. Hon. Guthrie said everything possible was being done to try to relieve the shipping position. The Government had been assured that a fair apportionment of shipping had been allocated to New Zealand compared with Australia. No doubt the Dominion had been overshadowed by the name of Australasia, proper distinction not having been made between the two countries of Australia and New Zealand. Had it not been for strikes and epidejnics, more ships would have been available for loading in New Zealand. At the present time half the season's output of cheese —amounting to 447,000 crates was in store. With regard to butter, they had nothing to fear, and ths same could be said regarding wool. They could get plenty of space for the shipment of wool. There was an idea abroad that the equalisation scheme in respect of butter pressed heavily on the exporters. Cabinet was considering a suggestion to take from the Consolidated Fund thu money necessary to improve the position of those producers whose butter was1 kept for local consumption at a lower price than that fixed for export. Dealing with the question of waste lands, Hon. Guthrie said Sir Francis Bell was fully alive to the necessity for such lands being planted or sown as soon as possible. He felt sure us soon as funds and labour were available, Sir Francis Bell would go ahead with a vigorous policy.