dilnot sladden.]

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I.—loa.

most companies the bulk of the meat is sold before it arrives in England. If, however, you take a period like the present, when all the dealers and speculators are buying live-stock in anticipation of a rise, it is quite clear that they cannot buy meat in New Zealand and sell c.i.f. without losing, and it is quite certain that these people must consign in the interim, pending the rise which they anticipate. 19. Consequently, if Mr. Cameron's proposals were carried into effect, the trade would have to be revolutionised ?—Well, I suppose so. The proposals seem to me to be almost diametrically opposite to the course of things as latterly developed in England. Since the trade has got into a healthy condition large purchases are constantly made with confidence under the different brands. 20. In what part of New Zealand did that system commence ?—I think Nelson Bros, were the first to do anything in that way ; then, after that, Dunedin (or possibly Christchurch people at the same time) first did business on those lines. 21. Are purchases now made in the North Island to any large extent by English buyers and agents ?—To a very large extent. Apart from what Nelson Bros, send out, I should say the great bulk of all the meat of the North Island is sold in that way. 22. Hon. Sir J. G. Ward ] Do you know anything of the conditions existing in England from personal experience?—l was in England a few weeks, and I picked up as much knowledge as I could during that time. 23. What I mean is, in connection with the general distribution of New Zealand meat throughout England ? —No ; all I did was to go to different shops in different towns and endeavour to find out what meat they used and how they got it. 24. I suppose you went to the English market with the object of obtaining the highest price for New Zealand meat ?—Yes ; for our company in particular. 25. What is your opinion regarding the suggestion that has been made to establish shops on behalf of the colony in England : do you think it would create a feeling of friction or antagonism or one of friendliness amongst those who are selling meat on the English market? —The suggestion has only been made since I left England. Apparently, some people seem to look on it with disfavour. Ido not think there is very strong feeling one way or the other. If there was very strong opposition to it, it might point to there being some reason for doing it; but I think that people in the meat trade are more curious about it than anything else, from what I can learn. 26. I suppose, if it was possible for one great organization to hold New Zealand meat and to control it both at this end and the other, the probabilities of obtaining a better price would even then be doubtful ?—I do not think the conditions differ very much between frozen and fresh meat. If you follow the argument to a legitimate conclusion, you must take English meat also into consideration. 27. Personally, Ido not think it is possible, but that is a different thing. Under existing conditions, where we have competitive buyers here of English houses, such as Borthwick's, Fletchers', and others, would it be possible for any organization to prevent them buying in the open market? —I do not think it would. The fact that there are so many competitors in the open market is the best guarantee you have for obtaining fair prices. 28. If that were not possible—that is, to control the British buyers, and I admit that —the intended combination in England would be impossible ?—lt would be futile, I think. I do not see how anything could be done to control the meat trade unless the Argentine people are approached. They have the key to the position. They can put the price of our meat down in a day by putting their own down. There is a report by the C. C. and D. Company, dated the 31st July, m which I notice the following : " On Monday forenoon it was unexpectedly announced that the Plate companies had decided to advance prices of their mutton Ad. per pound, and this, of course, had the effect of raising values of New Zealand, hardly to the same extent; but prices are id. to Jd. per pound above last week, with fairly free sale." I might supplement that by saying that New Zealand meat went up almost immediately to its normal level above River Plate meat, and they sometimes put it down in the same way. I do not see how it is possible for us to do anything so long as we act independently. The Argentine companies have sometimes been approached, and have answered, " We do not want to put the price up, because we are making a fair profit now, and if we put it up we shall check the demand." 29. The Chairman.] Have you got the C. C. and D. August report?— No. 30. The report of 14th August says: " River Plate values remain as they have been since Monday, 27th ultimo, when prices advanced from 3Ad. to 4d. per pound, to the great surprise of the trade in Smithfield." That points to the Argentine influence on prices? —Yes, that is so. 31. Hon. Sir 3. G. Ward.] If it were possible to make an arrangement with the Argentine people, then, in turn, I presume, in order to keep permanently level a fair price for New Zealand meat, it would be necessary to control all the outside buyers of the freezing companies and shippers? —If any combination were effected it would probably be done in London by the large meat operators. Some arrangement would have to be made with them also if anything were done with the Argentine people. 32. Leaving the Argentine people out of consideration, would it be possible to control the New Zealand meat trade unless you were able to control the outsiders and also the shipping companies ?—I do not think so. You cannot get behind what I have said before. Meat is like any other crop—it must be harvested when ripe, and when people can get rid of it at a price that suits them they sell it. 33. Mr. Hogg.] Do you find any difficulty sometimes in getting the meat sent away from Wellington ?—No ; we have had no difficulty now for some years. There are ample facilities here. B—l, 10a.