MEAT BOARD

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27406, 20 July 1954, Page 14

MEAT BOARD

ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM MR W. B. TROTTER’S VIEWS “As a candidate to the Electoral Committee of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board I would like to place my views before the meat producers of South Canterbury,” said Mr W. B. Trotter, of Fairlie. “My proposer and seconder, Mr P. J. Keenan and Mr G. S. Giddings, are well known. “I have been engaged in farming in the Fairlie district for the last 31 years, and have had a wide experience in lamb fattening over that period. “This coming season will see a return to a free market and every indication so far points to increased prices for the producer. I believe that producers had everything to gain and nothing to lose by embarking upon a system of co-operative marketing with the Meat Board purchasing all our meat and selling it on our behalf. One buyer, ourselves, and one seller. My memory recalls, only too well, those wicked old free-market schedules, with anything up to a twopenny drop over the Christmas holidays and quite regular drops when the nor’wester was blowing the rape out of the paddocks. However, I was defeated, and what concerns me now is that even though meat is a scarce commodity, we are returning to a free market under worse conditions than pre-war. The old-timers in charge of producers’ interests fought very hard to retain what was sometimes called the 50-50. That is. 50 per cent, of the meat to be bought and shipped by overseas companies, and 50 per cent, to be bought ana shipped by Nev/ Zealand companies or operators. “Now we return to a free market with 70 per cent, of our meat to be bought and shipped by overseas companies. A good deal has been said recently about the open door policy which gives to any producer the right to kill and ship meat direct to the London market. We can kill and ship all right, but we will sell on a restricted market, because if 70 per cent, of our meat is to be shipped by overseas companies, then these companies will automatically control 70 per cent, of the wholesale facilities, and 70 per cent, of the retailers must look to them for supplies. I-think that the Meat Board should be urged to restore the 50-50. Also, owing to the very rapid increase in beef breeding cattle in South Canterbury, the Meat Board should be asked to see that killing. facilities for export beef are available in South Canterbury.

‘‘Another thing which requires clarification is whether the Electoral College or Meat and Wool Section of Federated Farmers is the producers’ mouthpiece to the Meat Board on export meat matters. The present election is a clash between two schools of thought. I believe that it is wrong to have your Electoral College meet in Wellington, elect producer members to the Meat Board, and in the electing of these members and the receiving of reports, have a full discussion on policy as regards ■ export meat, and come home reasonably satisfied, and then allow Meat and Wool Section of Federated Farmers to approach the Meat Board and state their views. Producers’ interests cannot be well looked after when two committees approach the one authority. This representation should be decided on constitutional lines and a referendum taken If the decision goes in favour of Federated Farmers, then the Electoral Committee should be abolished, but if the majority of producers favour the Electoral College system, then all Federated Farmers’ remits should be put through that committee. The essential thing is that . producers must speak with one voice. Because of the wide representation obtained, I am inclined to favour the Electoral College system. Not all producers are rti embers of Federated Farmers, and even if they are members, can tak.e an active interest in the federation affairs.

“I have been disturbed by the lack of co-operation shown by the South Canterbury Meat and Wool Section of Federated Farmers, during the last two years. May I say in closing that this report has the unanimous support of the Fairlie branch of Federated Farmers. In the common interest, all producers should vote.”—Published by arrangement.

Fishermen Elect Officers.—The following officers were elected at the annual conference of the South Island Associated Fishermen held at Akaroa: president, Mr G. Smart (Lyttelton); secretary, Mr J. P. Davies (Christchurch); committee, Messrs F. Alexander (Lakeside), and J. G. Sutherland (Timaru).