BUTCHERY TRADE

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 November 1943, Page 2

BUTCHERY TRADE

APPEALS FOR EMPLOYEES

The difficulty of' the butchery trade on the West Coast in maintaining business in the face of manpower shortages was stressed before the Armed Forces Appeal Board in Greymouth, yesterday afternoon, when eight appeals were heard, seven being by country butchers and one by a Greymouth employer. All cases, which were reviews of previous decisions, were adjourned sine die. Mr W. Meldrum presided, with him Messrs P. J. McLean and A. Panther, and Mr C. F .Shapcott was secretary. Mr M. J. Fogarty,'secretary of the Master Butchers’ Association, said the position had not improved since the last hearing and, if anything, had deteriorated. One butcher was likely to be in hospital for a considerable time, and all the others were working a skeleton staff. The shortage of meat made it harder for the butchers to earn a living, but prices and labour should not be confused. While the product for distribution had been lessened, as many men as before were needed for the distribution. ~ Mr T. Bond, secretary of the Westland Shop Assistants’ Industrial Union, by letter, stated that there had been no change since May, when the Union had expressed the view that none of the reservists should be sent overseas. The industry was unsuitable for the employment of women.

All reservists were Grade 1. G. H. Dalzell, Runanga, aged 31, single, lodged his own appeal. Mr W. D. Taylor read a declaration, which stated that the position had deteriorated; owing to an accident his father could not give the same assistance as previously. W. McVicar (Mr Taylor) appealed for P. W. Burrows, aged 25, married, one child. He stated that Burrows was on the round at Totara Flat six days a week and had not had a holiday for two years. More than 90 per cent of the business was done by deliveries. Another two men could easily be employed. E. Gamble, Stillwater (Mr J. W. Hannan) appealed for C. E. Fensom, aged 28, married, two children, and G. H. Banks, aged 31, married, one child. He stated that Fensom was in hospital and it was not known when he would be able to return to work. Banks had had to accept additional duties as a result, but they were too arduous to be continued. Two elderly men were meanwhile helping with general work. Mrs M. Lalor, South Beach (Mr Hannan) appealed for her son, T. W. Lalor, aged 22, single. She said a delivery van was operated between Paroa and Greymouth, reservist having conducted the business since her husband’s death. He had no assistance.

J. W. Burr, Ngahere (Mr A. M. Jamieson) appealed for A. J. Burr, aged 21, single. He said the situation had not changed since the previous hearing six months ago. Hitson was familiar with the round, on which he spent six days a week. He and his son both put in long hours. The purchase of a shop at Blackball had made him busier.

A. F. Bruhn, Rutherglen (Mr Jamieson) appealed for N. L. Bruhn, aged 20, single. He said he was 73 years of age and his son was fully engaged in working the farm, killing stock, and managing the business, which included a bakery and grocery delivery. S. Stewart, Greymouth, appealed for C. E. Linabom, aged 31, married, three children. He said reservist had been in his employ for 15 years; there were beside him two elderly men and a boy, the staff being three below normal. Without Lindbom the present turnover could not be handled.