MEAT SUPPLIES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25306, 4 October 1947, Page 8

MEAT SUPPLIES

BUTCHER’S AUTHORITY WITHDRAWN REFUSAL TO HANDLE FROZEN MEAT “All this week I sold fresh meat and will do so again next week, even though my authority to acquire fresh meat has not' been issued,” said Mr F. C. Witty, a suburban butcher, yesterday. Mr Witty added that he had received advice from the Meat Supply Officer in Christchurch (Mr G. McNatty) that authority for him to acquire fresh meat would not be issued. Mr McNatty’s letter read: “I am ih receipt of your application for an authority to acquire meat and have to advise that, as you have failed to comply with the instruction regarding frozeh meat, an authority to acqulf? fresh meat will not be issued. As you are aware, this instruction contained in a previous letter was introduced at the specific request of the New Zea i land Master Butchers’ Federation. 1 have to warn you that it is an offence to acquire meat without authority, and in the event Of your doing so the matter will be referred to the Food Controller for appropriate action.” It is understood that the frozen meat quota Was introduced after repreaen* tations had been made by Duheditt butchers to the national federation asking for some relief fioffi Hign prices for stock on the hoof at the Burnside market. During the three months values at Burnside have, without exception, been higher 'hd® at Addington. High Level of Prices Even the frozen meat quota has not affected Burnside livestock prices, ana last Wednesday they reached alfnott record high levels. “I am prepared to face the consequences find may be prosecuted, even though I am trying to save meat for Britain.” said Mr Witty. “I do not think the Food Controller has power to stop my supplies of fresh meat, for as far as I can gather the 10 per cent, frozen meat quota is only an agreement between the Government fan<* the New Zealand Master Butchers Federation. I know of no regulatlfihs being gazetted making it cotnpulsoty for South Island butchers to take W per cent, of their quota in frozen meat.” . Mr Witty added that he considered the national federation erred in accepting the quota, more particularly when an appeal had been launched to assist Britain in every way possible. r Mr Witty said that if his supplies 0‘ fresh meat were stopped he would ask the Leader of the Opposition (Mr 5. G. Holland) Who was member district, to nave a petition protesting i against the quota signed by 200 of mJ customers presented in the HoU®€ & Representatives. # Asked by a reporter whether an* regulation had been gazetted to enI force the frozen meat quota, Mr Mcj Natty said he could not give an/ i fl " • formation. Christchurch master butchers have received no reply to their request tn** the frozen meat quota be waived.

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