§ 61. Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his 727 attention has been drawn to the statments of a deputation representing the meat-canning and preserving interests of Australia which waited upon Mr. Chief Secretary Black, of the New South Wales Government, in which it was alleged that, in the matter of War Office and Admiralty orders for canned meat, Australian producers had been deliberately boycotted by the Committee of Supplies; that the Chicago Beef Trust had received undue preference to such an extent that, while Australian goods were not accepted, the same goods, if sold to an American firm and freshly labelled, were accepted by both the War Office and the Admiralty; and that Mr. Chief Secretary Black, in reply to the deputation, made remarks regarding the treatment of Australian producers and in connection with the distribution of these canned-beef orders; whether, at the outbreak of the War, large orders had been given to Australian firms against whom no complaint was made; whether, in view of the discontent in the Colonies, he will state the reason for the discontinuance of orders to Australian firms; and whether Australian goods were being or had been tendered from American sources?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is the established policy of the War Office to deal, as far as possible, with Australian packers rather than with foreign firms, subject, of course to due regard being paid to considerations of quality, price, and delivery, and this policy has been strictly adhered to. In view of the existing stocks, no orders of importance have been placed for some time, but there has been no discontinuance of Australian orders as such. Agents of American firms have for some years been buyers of Australian meat, and the purchase of spot stocks naturally includes such goods.
§ 62. Mr. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that no complaints had been received from Smithfield concerning the administration of the surplus of Australian and New Zealand meat imports, he is aware that the small jobbers complained of privileged treatment accorded to larger firms, and further complained of having to pay down 90 per cent. of the purchase money against an order to an agent, while the agent himself only paid down 75 per cent. to the Government; whether he is aware that the Government have been condemned for paying 2 per cent. commission 728 to agents, and that under private enterprise and free competition these agents formerly were content to work for 1, and in many cases even ½, per cent., and that their task is much simpler than formerly; whether he will give the names of the persons or person on whose authority he decided to double the rate of commission for selling New Zealand and Australian meat, ex-ship or store; and whether, in future, he will throw this work open to free competition and destroy the existing monopoly of privileged agents?
Mr. RUNCIMANSo far as I am aware, the arrangements which have been made for the disposal of the meat not required for military purposes are working satisfactorily, and I have had no complaints of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend. With regard to the commission paid to the selling agents, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on the 1st July last. The agents employed are always, so far as possible, those who would have dealt with the meat under normal conditions.
§ 63. Mr. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that almost continuously since the rising of the House in August quantities of New South Wales beef, mostly that produced by the firm of Richards and Company, of Riverstone, New South Wales, had been placed upon Smithfield Market, a very considerable percentage of the quarters suffering from bone taint; whether he is aware that this beef, though originally of prime quality, was now arriving in stale condition from prolonged storage; whether he will state when the beef was killed and at what date it was acquired by the Government; how the Government came to buy it without any kind of test for bone taint; whether they have paid for it; and, if so, what were the prospects of getting any of their money back?
Mr. RUNCIMANDuring the period referred to very little New South Wales beef has been placed by the Government on the market. I understand, however, that about 25 tons, forming part of a consignment purchased from the firm mentioned, has been condemned. The meat was bought on behalf of the British Government by the New South Wales Government, and I have no reason to believe that in making purchases due care was not exercised by them, but very careful inquiries will be made into the matter.