ONEHUNGA SYSTEM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 205, 30 August 1934, Page 8

ONEHUNGA SYSTEM.

MEN'S DIRECT PURCHASES,

The sale of cheap meat to the unemployed at Onehunga has been a boon to those men with large families. The system came into operation in June, 1933, when the Borough Council received its first consignment of 25 sheep from Westfield. It was supplied by the Labour Department at a cost to the eouncil of l£d per lb and sold to the men at lid per lb. The extra farthing charged was to cover the cost of carting the meat from Westfield to Onehunga. The 25 sheep "were sold to 150 men. The sale of meat increased each week Until. 55 carcases were cut up by two butchers and sold to 250 families. There •were 000 relief workers on the council's pay sheet, and all were eligible to purchase as much meat as they required once a week, provided they gave in their orders by Wednesday, two days before the meat was available. The peak was reached when the weekly consumption amounted to 70 sheep. The Borough Council eventually withdrew from the contract and all relief workers formed themselves into an association and bought" their meat, both beef and mutton, direct from the abattoirs. This system has continued in operation since the men gave up ■working for the council and went on sustenance, and has proved so satisfactory that the men have started a co-operative society to purchase other domestic supplies from a wholesale warehouse.