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MASTER BUTCHERS

Annual Conference At Dunedin REMITS CONSIDERED By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, February 2. The fifth annual conference of the New Zealand Master Butchers’ Industrial Association of Employers was begun to-day. there being present Messrs. W. Tunley (president), R. C. Caddy, W. A. Seotting (Auckland), J.' F. Carter, E. C. Gray, 8. 11. Snell (Palmerston North), A. J. McCready (Hamilton), G. E. Bennett (Wanganui), W. Simpson (New Plymouth), T. Smellie (Gisborne), E. D. Barber, P. C. Lusford, A. E. Preston (Wellington), T. W. Stephenson. W. S, Hughes (Canterbury), J. Henderson, J. Sinton (Dunedin), W. Johnston (Invercargill), and W. J. Mountjoy (secretary). Messrs. A. Duke and E. Bolwell were appointed to represent the Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa associations respectively by proxy. An official welcome to the delegates was extended by the mayor, the Rev. E. T. Cox. The executive’s annual report stated that during the past year the position of the butchery trade in New Zealand on the whole had been better stabilised and the bugbear of lean years was not so apparent. In fact, the barometer of employment showed a very acceptable change which had been reflected in the greater spending power of the people. The unemployment position had been considerably relieved by the Government putting into operation several large public works ventures and the Government housing scheme throughout the Dominion, which, in adtion to reducing the number of unemployed, had, wilh the higher prices ruling in the world’s markets, brought about a considerably greater circulation of money. The association looked forward with hope for conditions in the trade to improve by the restriction of unfair competition and a better understanding between members. The president, moving the adoption of the annual report, said that the lot of the master butcher had not been all that could be desired. There had been many difficulties, mainly shortage of stock, which had brought about increases in retail prices, unfair competition and cutting of prices by retailers. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the association had forged ahead dud put up a strong fight in the interests of all engaged in the industry. The report was adopted. Levy on Pigs. The subject of the levy of twopence on pigs was dealt with by remits forwarded by the Canterbury and South Auckland associations. The Canterbury remit was as follows: “That the conference consider what action should be taken regarding the imposition on master butchers of a twopenny levy a head’ on pigs slaughtered, in view of the statement made by. the Minister of Agriculture when approached by the New Zealand Master Butchers’ Association in this respect.” The South. Auckland remit was as follows: “That the Government be asked to make arrangements for the levy of twopence on pigs slaughtered to be collected by auctioneering companies and others buying direct from the farmer and for retailbutchers to be relieved of the responsibility of collection.” Tlie remits were carried and the matter was left in the hands of the executive to place it before the Minister of Agriculture. The question of the hawking of meat, was raised by two remits from Canterbury and South Auckland, which recommended that, in the interests of public health, the hawking of meat in city and suburban areas should be prohibited by law, It was stated that the operation of hawking carts in city and suburban areas was an undesirable feature from the point of view of public health. Another viewpoint was put forward by the secretary, who said that in some districts where butchers were not established, hawking carts were a necessity for the public, and he considered that the conference should consider the question very carefully before adopting remits. Another delegate said that if a man had to make sufficient outlay to purchase an up-to-date hawking cart which would satisfy the requirements of the Health Department, he might as well establish a small shop and deliver his orders from there under the best conditions. The remits were confirmed and the wording of the recommendation to be placed before the Minister of Health was left in the hands of the executive. A Canterbury remit recommending that employees be supplied with a discharge book wa's considered briefly and carried. Question of Dominion Award. A remit forwarded by Wellington recommending that steps be taken to obtain a Dominion award for master butchers instead of local industrial district awards was considered. After a fairly lengthy discussion, in which opinion was fairly sharply divided, the remit was lost. / A Wellington remit recommended that arrangements be made for a Registration of Butchers Bill to be brought before Parliament with a view to having all retail butchers registered under an Act and with a view to creating a better standard in the industry. The remit provoked considerable discussion, at the conclusion of which it was referred to the Dominion executive with an instruction that it study the provisions of the Industrial Efficiency Act and report to the various associations.' South Auckland forwarded a remit recommending that the Government be asked to make it compulsory for sausage casing to be sold by the 100 yard case. After a short discussion tlie remit was referred back to the South Auckland association for further consideration. The South Auckland association recommended that the Minister of Agriculture be asked to have it compulsory for all stock offered for sale to be dehorned. It was decided to recommend to the Minister that the dehorning of cattle be encouraged. The conference then adjourned until the morning.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19380203.2.109

Bibliographic details

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 110, 3 February 1938, Page 12

Word Count
909

MASTER BUTCHERS Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 110, 3 February 1938, Page 12

MASTER BUTCHERS Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 110, 3 February 1938, Page 12