RESTRICTED KILLING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 130, 14 March 1935, Page 2

RESTRICTED KILLING

APPROVAL BY FARMERS. CHRISTCHURCH RESOLUTIONS. (Special to the "Guardian.") CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Approval of the recommendations of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board to the Minister for Agriculture that the Canterbury killings of Thomas Borthwick and Sons (Australasia) Ltd. be restricted, was expressed by a resolution carried at a representative gathering of farmers held in Christchurch yesterday afternoon. The resolution was easily carried on the voices after explanations of the board's attitude in the dispute had been given by Mr T. A. Duncan (acting-chairman of the hoard) and Mr H. D. Acland (producers' ( representative on the board). Many questions were asked of the two principal speakers, and it was not until after a thorough discussion of the various aspects of the position leading up to the imposition of a restriction on killings in Canterbury that the resolution wag carried. Several voted against it. ' , The resolution stated: "That this meeting of farmers, haying heard the restriction of killings explained by Mr Duncan and Mr Acland, is satisfied that the Minister, for Agriculture and the New Zealand Meat Producers' Bloard have acted in the best interest of the primary producers of the Dominion."

The president of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union presided oyer an attendance of 70 farmers. Included were several from Mid-Canterbury. Mr R. D. Robinson claimed' that there were seven works in Canterbury where three would be sufficient to handle all the stock offering. Mr Acland had agreed with that, he added* in a recent address. Mr Robinson also claimed that Canterbury had the highest killing charge of all except Nelson and Picton works, and the additional burden that placed on Canterbury producers totalled! £70,000.

Another speaker/also asked if it would not be possible to reduce the number of works in Canterbury.

Mr Duncan replied.that it would be a good idea if the reduction did not mean that in abnormal years it would be impossible for the then existing works to handle the killings for the province at the peak period. He was not able to state how many works it would take in Canterbury to carry the peak load of killings. Mr Duncan would not admit, also, as suggested by Mr J. Cocks, that as it was assumedl that chain killing could double the output of a works four works with chain systems of killing could handle the output of Canterbury now divided among seven. He was convinced that the.allocation of 620,000 head to Borthwick and Sons under the new restriction was ample for that firm or any other. (Applause.) Mr Robinson: When there were three works in Hawke's Bay there was this same trouble. Now there axe two v/orks only and the killing rate w the lowest in New Zealand. Cannot we learn a lesson from Hawke's Bay and reduce the number of works m Canterbury? Mr Duncan: Bortihwick and bona was the last firm to build. Mr Robinson: At any rate m Canterbury to-day there are only two prices for stock—Borthwick's and that of the "other companies." The restriction by the board will merely drive Borthwick and Sons in with the other companies, and that will not be serving the producers. Mr Duncan: We do not restrict Borthwick's buying and that firm has the right to have any surplus killed at anyt other works. Mr Robinson: That looks like allowing a man to have 100 acres, then restricting his operations to working 80 acres of it, and finally forcing him to rent 20 acres from a dud neighbour if he wishes to work up to 100 acres' capacity. The committee fcf the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association carried the following resolution: — "That this committee is of the opinion that the action of the New-Zea-land Meat Producers Board and Government in providing for quotas covering the slaughtering of stock is in t!he best interests of the JDominion meat producers. The committee congratulates the Board on taking the long view of the problem, and is of the opinion that the restriction now being exercised will result in the retention of the control of the industry remaining in the hands of the Dominion producers." _— a SOUTH CANTERBURY OPPOSITION. REMOVAL OF BAN URGED. TIMARU, March 13.' A meeting of farmers and others interested was held this afternoon to consider the position which has arisen as a result of the imposition of a restriction on killing operations at Borthwicks' Belfast works. The following resolution, moved by Mr Forbes W aimate, and seconded by Mr J. Mathieson, Waimate, was carried: "That in the opinion of this meeting of South Canterbury producers of fat stock no adequate reason has yet been shown for the unreasonable restrictions placed upon the killing operations of Thomas Borthwick and Sons (Australasia), Ltd. That the removal of the restriction will be in the best interests of producers and the general public, and this meeting requests the Minister of Agriculture to reconsider his decision." An amendment moved by Mr B. E. H. Tripp and seconded by Mr J. Trotter: "That the matter be left in the hands of the Meat Board," was heavily defeated.