CITY ABATTOIR KILLINGS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24572, 22 May 1945, Page 3

CITY ABATTOIR KILLINGS

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF ’ CONTRACTOR

A statement on behalf of the contractor for killing at the Christchurch City abattoir, in reply to recent criticism, was made yesterday by Mr C. L. Sturge. Meat rationing, saU Mr Sturge, was introduced to provide as much meat as possible for England and for the starving population of the occupied countries, and freezing works were first priority for labour. The abattoir consequently had been short-staffed. The position was accentuated when certain butchers, anticipating a restriction in killings, ordered double the quantity they required, with the result that stock was left hanging, while other butchers.had to go short. Ine men did not work on V-E Day. or the following day. If all butchers would keep a small amount of stock in their shops, instead of endeavouring to rush meat straight from the market to make a display, not only would the meat be in better condition from the customers’ point of view, but also deliveries would cause them less inconvenience, said Mr Sturge. The present contractor took the killing contract when the previous party rejected it. Bearing in mind his difficulties, several of the larger butchers had expressed satisfaction with the contractor’s services.