§ 36. Mr. STANTONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will appoint a Committee to act immediately in regard to our meat supplies; will he provide that such Committee shall have full power to investigate and discover the best cattle-raising lands in Queensland, New Zealand, South Africa, and Northern Nigeria, with a view of starting cattle ranches to supply our British markets and to prevent the possibility of the great American and other meat trusts from cornering our meat supplies; and if he will take such measures at once as to prevent these meat trusts from securing any more land in our Colonies for cattle raising?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Long)I have been asked to answer this question. It would not be possible to constitute a Committee, with the powers suggested, unless with the assent and co-operation of the Dominion Governments. I am, of course, fully alive to the importance of the subject, and I anticipate that it will be discussed at the approaching Conference with the representatives of the Dominions.