NEW FREEZING WORKS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 146, 23 June 1938, Page 20

NEW FREEZING WORKS

SOUTHLAND PROPOSAL (By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, June 22. An admission that more competition; in the buying of fat stock for export' was needed in Southland was made fay the chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Export Control Board, Mr. T. A. Duncan, when the board heard evidence on the subject of the proposed new freezing works from a gathering of about 500 farmers in Invercargill today. Members of the board appeared to be in general agreement that more killing and storage accommodation was necessary and that the main question to decide was by what means that extra accommodation could be secured —by extension of the existing three works or by the erection of additional works.

Numerous complaints of delay suffered by Southland farmers in getting their stock killed this season were made to the. board today and a sheaf of written complaints was handed in, as well as a petition signed by nearly 1000 farmers, who asked that an additional licence be granted for works in the province.

After the conference with the board, tjie two farmers' factions—countrydelegates and the provincial executive of the Farmers' Union—met and carried the following motion:—That, in the event of a new licence being granted for a freezing works in Southland, the Meat Board be asked to secure guarantees from the four operating companies, including the successful applicant, as follows: —(a) That they will provide for the forthcoming and following seasons adequate killing and storage accommodation for a normal increase in the production of Southland and South Otago; (b) that freezing charges are reduced by, say, 20 per cent., provided that operating costs are not substantialy increased; (c) that adequate slaughtering and storage facilities be provided for all other exporters who may wish to utilise the companies' services; (d) that the buying schedule be equal to or better than the Canterbury schedule.

The chairman of the board, after receiving the resolution, stated that he felt that the board would support it. The board would take time to consider whether'a new licence should be issued or whether the position could be met by extension of existing works in Southland.