SLAUGHTERMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 113, 12 May 1917, Page 11

SLAUGHTERMEN.

EFFECT OF NEW FREEZERS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The question of whether the erection of the new freezing works had unduly men ased the demand for slaughtermen was raised before a Military Service Board to-day by the military representative. The companies, he said, had extended their works to take advantage of the high prices and profitable conditions, and had so increased the number of '"boards" for which slaughtermen had to be found but there was no corresponding increase in the number of cattle and sheep slaughtered- It appeared that the authorities wore asked to grant exemption to slaughtermen in the interests of companies. A smaller number of employing fewer men. he said, could handle all the stock by extending the season slightly. Expert evidence and the members of the Board opposed the opinion of the military representative. It was mentioned that the prompt handling of stock was necessary if loss was to be avoided. Additional freezing works tended to increase the flocks and herds, and new works were particularly valuable at the present time as they provided storage for meat, and so assisted in tiding over the periods of shipping shortage.