MEAT RESTRICTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23863, 18 April 1941, Page 4

MEAT RESTRICTIONS

SPECIALLY HARD ON OTAGO POSITION KNOWN TO MINISTER Protests which have been heard ever since the 521 b limit was imposed on aged sheep at the, freezing works throughout Otago and Southland were again voiced at the meeting of the Provincial Council of the Farmers’ Union yesterday afternoon, this time for the benefit of Mr H._ M. Christie, who represented the Minister of Agriculture.

“ As the regulation stands,” maintained Mr, James Begg, “ sheep are being selected for poverty. While the limit stands at 521 b it means selecting a percentage of the worst sheep in each flock.” Several other speakers endorsed this view, and repeated examples of how the regulation affected the high-country farmer, who would not be able to get rid of his surplus. Relief, it was pointed out, must come quickly, if it was to come at all. The condition of high-country flocks would very shortly be going back. “ The Minister has known all along that the 521 b limit would be useless in Otago and Southland,” replied Mr Christie. “ From discussions I have heard, it is my opinion that if was never intended that those restrictions should remain indefinitely, in force. They comprised a temporary measure to slow up the rush of ewes and wethers to the freezing works. In anv case, these latter would have had to impose some restrictions of their own. Ocean Beach, for instance, is fully occupied, and Sir Robert Anderson told me that they would have to have another fortnight before restrictions were removed.”

Later, he said that he would like to know of some way in which the highcountry .jpen could be allowed to dispose of their«surplus through the freezing works, while not the lowcountry farmers to put theirs in. An attempt was being made by the Government to honour its promises without being played on by people who were only out for profit. Mr Begg suggested that it could be left in the hands of a small committee who would guarantee that tho heavy-weight stock arriving at tho freezer would consist of animals from annual drafts only. Mr Christie said that committees were usually slow-acting, and the initial arrangements would take a lot of time.

Mr Begg offered to have a committee ready to act within two days.

The remainder of the discussion was merged in the general debate about the meat question, reported elsewhere in this issue.