MEAT STORAGE IN SOUTHLAND

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27638, 20 April 1955, Page 15

MEAT STORAGE IN SOUTHLAND

MINISTER REPLIES TO MR I. R. WILLS “DELIBERATE ATTEMPT TO CLOUD ISSUE” (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 19. “A deliberate attempt to cloud the issue,” was how the Minister of Agriculture (Mr K. J. Holyoake) today described the remarks of Mr I. R. Wills, at a meeting of the Southland executive of Federated Farmers yesterday, on freezing space available in the province.

By introducing arguments for a new freezing works into the discussion on cool storage space in the Southland district, Mr Wills had deliberately chosen to ignore certain relevant points, said Mr Holyoake.

“Southland Federated Farmers wrote to me last month about the inadequacy of cool storage space in their district,” said Mr Holyoake. “My reply was that the responsibility for cool storage space was that of the freezing comfianies and the Meat Board. A similar etter was sent by the federation to the Meat Board, which replied on April 5 on the following lines:— “(1) The board has done its best to make adequate shipping available at Bluff to keep the freezing companies’ stores reasonably clear to deal with normal killings. “(2) A new storage block is being built at Makarewa, with a capacity of 100,000 freight carcases.

“(3) Plans are also being prepared for the erection of a store at Mataura, with a capacity of 84,000 freight carcases.

“(4) Tenders have also been called for the erection of a freezing chamber and cool store at Ocean Beach. I understand this will have a capacity of about 100,000 freight carcases. “Mr Wills must have known when he made his statement that his executive had received the Meat Board’s letter,” said Mr Holyoake, “but he was so intent on discrediting the Government that he deliberately chose to ignore these relevant points. Mr Wills is not assisting the farmers of his district by resorting to such tactics.

“As for the question of a new freezing works, I have already advised the president of Southland Federated Farmers that the application of the Alliance Freezing Company has been discussed by the Cabinet, and that I have invited the Meat Board to meet me at the earliest date convenient to it. The board has indicated that the earliest date suitable to it would be towards the end of this month,” the Minister concluded.