INQUIRY WANTED

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1943, Page 2

INQUIRY WANTED

[To the Editor] Sir,—l beg space in your paper to protest against what I consider very unfair treatment by the powers that be against not only our local butcher but the public of Waiuta. This young man, Paul Ronchi, was prevailed upon bv the Waiuta branch of the Inangahua Miners’ Union to open a butcher shop at Waiuta, as at that tim e all our meat was transported from Reefton and Totara Flat. After much difficulty the said shop was duly opened. But Sir, outside butchers continued for many months to deliver meat around the township per motor, thus unnecessarily using tyres and benzine. Ronchi delivers meat per horse and cart. A military appeal for Ronchi has been dismissed despite the fact that butchers have been declared essential. The only assistance our butcher has is an invalid brother. Surely !fhe powers that be cannot expect this sick brother to conduct the business? It is utterly impossible. Yet I know of single men in less essential circumstances for whom appeals have been upheld. An example is a grocery business, where a single man has the assistance of his father in the shop, appealed against military service, his appeal being adjourned sine die—and rightly so. But why fish of one and flesh of another? I make bold to state that it is far more difficult to conduct a butchery than a grocery business; and; note. the butcher is a married man. Apparently we are going to be deprived of our ’meat —very detrimental to the war effort Sir—because to win the war, they say we must work; and I cannpt work unless I get good “grazing.” And believe me without our butcher it will be starvation diet. I think it is past the time that some one in a responsible public position inquired into .such an instance as the one I have brought to notice. I am, etc., ED. C. CHANDLER. Waiuta, February 24.