MEAT SEASON

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23804, 25 November 1942, Page 2

MEAT SEASON

OPENING EXPECTED ON DECEMBER 7 MANPOWER POSITION Freezing works in Canterbury are expected to open for the season on December 7. The season is considered by freezing works officials to be nearly two weeks later than the average, the backward condition of the lambs being blamed on recent dry weather. Indications are that the labour situation at the various works will not bo so acute as was threatened some months ago. Some works will probably face a slight shortage of manpower, but most are assured of a good supply of labour. A complete survey of manpower problems has been made by the Manpower Utilisation Committee of the industry, and the works are relying on the assurances of the release of men for the season from the Army in their assessments that manpower will not be a difficulty. The storage position throughout New Zealand for the meat industry is most favourable, the stores being almost empty. The storage situation threatened trouble at this time last year, the prospect then being that the export of ewe mutton would be severely restricted, and the proposal was that ewe meat should be put down the digesters. About 30,000 tons of meat were then involved, but all was shipped. The Government pays for meat after three months’ storage, and does not receive payment from the United Kingdom Government until the meat is placed on board ship.