N.Z. MEAT SHORTAGE

Grey River Argus, 16 July 1943, Page 3

N.Z. MEAT SHORTAGE

Will Rationing Result ?

P.A. WELLINGTON-, July 15. At the Dominion conference of the Farmers’ Union, strong opposition to any Government (interference With live stock auction sales was expressed It was suggested that there was a possibility of meat rationing later in the year. Mr R. R'. Bleda (North Auckland) said that, due to drought conditions in certain North Island districts, large numbers of store cattle had been killed. The supply of store cattle for fattening was going to.be a very serious matter in the coming spring. Military requirements would draw heavily on the available supplies. Though the Marketing Department was not openly considering it, there was ground for believing that similar action would' be taken in the meat industry to that in the pig industry. That meant that farmers would have to put all the killings into the works, and the Government would take control and ration them out. It looked as if there would have to be rationing of beef, but it should start at the killing point, and leave the sales free.