FREEZING LICENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 3, 14 October 1942, Page 5

FREEZING LICENCE.

PRODUCERS INTERESTED. INVERCARGILL, Oct. 13. Southland producers of mutton and lamb are becoming keenly interested in the outcome of the negotiations for the sale of the total or part interest in the Ocean Beach freezing works. A meeting of all farmers has been called for Wednesday morning at Invercargill. It is understood that the question of the licence will come before the New Zealand Meat Producers;’ Board this week.

Dominion ownership of the works would suit Southland best, according to a joint statement by the three Southland members of the electoral committee of the Meat Boafd (Messrs James Cowie, G. A. Hamilton, and H. P. Mclntyre. Their statement reads: “The board having been formed for the purpose of safeguarding the meat industry of New Zealand will necessarily go into the matter thoroughly. At the annual meeting of the electoral committee and board held in Wellington in August, remits dealing with sales of freezing works and changes of ownership were fully discussed, land the delegates were unanimous that a sub-committee comprising members of the board and delegates from the areas concerned be set up to discuss the mater and that no sale be sanctioned before this committee has met and made recommendations) to the proper authorities.

“The suggestion of acquiring these works by thq syndicate referred to was not brought before the delegates at the annual meeting. A company suited to the needs of Southland would be one which would give Dominion ownership, an open-door policy, and facilitate competition. That was the dominant note sounded at the annual meeting. We feel this ian opportune time to make this statement.”