MEAT WORKS IN CENTRAL

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29221, 3 June 1960, Page 10

MEAT WORKS IN CENTRAL

Mr Skinner Sure Of Support

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, June 2.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Skinner) said today he was “pretty sure” the Meat Board would support the case for the establishment of a new freezing works in Central Otago, if it could be shown to be reasonably economic.

Mr Skinner assured a deputation this evening that he would not hold up the granting of a licence. The deputation, led by Mr L. E Barrett, chairman of directors of the Central Otago Freezing Company, Mr B. C. Greer, chairman of the meat and woo] section of Otago Federated Farmers, and the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr T. K. S. Sidey), included representatives of the farming community, local bodies, manufacturers and retailers.

The deputation stressed the need for a freezing works to serve Central Otago farmers. Mr Skinner said he knew something of the distances stock had to be sent for killing as there was no works within easy distance of the bulk of production. He said the departments concerned would do everything they could to investigate thoroughly the economics of establishing a works in Central Otago. There must be some overcapacity in freezing works to gain full advantage from farms and to take care of the big increase in production which was coming along, he said.

Mr Skinner said a licence for an export works could only be granted by the Minister on the recommendation of the Meat Board. He told the deputation they would have to find a lot of money, and he presumed they would approach the board for assistance as had been done in Southland.