THE SLAUGHTER-HOUSE BILL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9489, 11 August 1891, Page 6

THE SLAUGHTER-HOUSE BILL.

MEETING OF MASTEE BUTCHERS.

A meeting of master butchers was held last night at the A 1 Hotel, to consider the Slaughter-house Bill introduced into Parliament by Mr W. L. Eees. There were about twenty present, and Mr W. H. Cooper was voted to the chair.

The Chairman stated the object for which the meeting had been convened. He had called the meeting in conjunction with Mr Hopkins, and had telegraphed to the Hon W. P. Reeves, who had forwarded him a copy of the Bill. At the request of the meeting Mr Cooper read the Bill as laid before the House.

Mr G. Andrews said the Bill was undoubtedly the worst Bill ever submitted to the House. It was entirely unnecessary and unworkable. He moved—“ That a petition be prepared and signed by all the butchers in Christchurch and the suburbs, protesting against the proposed Bill, and that the petition be sent to the representatives assembled, urging upon them the necessity for vetoing such a Bill.”

Mr J. Forrester seconded the motion, and hoped that the butchers would not only sign the petition, but use such influence as they had privately with their members to get them to veto the Bill. He also suggested that the three Christchurch members be telegraphed to, stating what had been done by the meeting and saying that the petition would be forwarded to the House as soon as prepared. The motion was carried unanimously, and a Committee, consisting of Messrs Cooper, Forrester and Harris, was elected to prepare tbe petition and have it signed and forwarded.

It was decided that the petition remain at Mr Harris’ shop to-day, and that an opportunity be afforded those unable to sign it there, to do so at the Addington saleyards on the market day. It was also agreed to telegraph to tho Hon W. P. Reeves, Messrs Perceval and Taylor, M.H.E/s for the city, asking them to use their influence in opposition to the Bill. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs Berry and Co. and their representative for their action in the matter, and a similar vote to the Chairman closed the proceedings.