THE MEAT INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 98, 25 March 1941, Page 2

THE MEAT INDUSTRY

RESTRICTED KILLINGS. FARMERS’ ANXIETY. Per Press Association. . CHRISTCHURCH, March 24. Restrictions on the killing of meat for export, announced yesterday by the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. J. G. Barclay) have not come altogether as a surprise to those engaged in the industry in Canterbury, but their severity was unforeseen. Little comment was forthcoming to-day on the restrictions, as all sections of the industry are awaiting some definition of the Government s policy. In the meantime, it appears that unless some arrangements are made for the killing of ewes, either for meat (which appears unlikely) or for conversion into, fertiliser, there is likely to be unemployment in the industry and some disorganisation of farming operations. Mr R. G. Bishop, president of the North Canterbury branch of the Farmers’ Union, said that the announcement had come as a shock to farmers of the province, particularly in view of the Minister’s statement, published on Friday. A good many old ewes were being held in Canterbury, and there woiud be anxiety till farmers knew what they were expected to do with them. It was more serious, he said, for the dairy-farmer and the small farmer, who had increased his production of pig meats. A good deal of money had been laid out m increasing herds and in providing buildings, and apparently all pigs which had been carried on to bacon weights would be a dead loss. . The feeling of those operating freezing works was summed up by Mr NTS. AVyber, manager of the North Canterbury Freezing Company, who said that the industry had expected something to happen, but had not been prepared for anything so drastic. Unless some arrangements were made for the slaughtering of ewes, labour required at the works would be cut down to about half Operators were waiting for a turtiier announcement from the Government EFFECT ON WORKERS.

‘‘lt may mean that the industry aa a wnolc will to uauly upset, ' said air 1 1. G. Kilpatrick, secretary or Uio Canterbury i< ree/niig Workers Liuoii, • and it will take good temper anu patience on the part oi all concerned to weather the crisis.’' Mr Kilpatrick said that, till the position was clanked, his union coum not decide on a course ot action, but it was very concerned at tkc possible cttect of restricted killing on 1(00 workers engaged in tne industry in Canterburymost oi the works had in hand enougn stock to carry on normally for a row days, but alter that it might be necessary to work short time, or to dismiss a proportion of the hands engaged. Workers in the industry left that they were entitled to some protection, as workers in the JSortk island, where tke season started trom a month to six weeks earlier than in the south, had the advantage ot that extra time at work. . The union had communicated witn the Minister ol 1 Labour and the Minister of Agriculture, asking that special consideration be given‘to its membcis, either by finding work for them at their trades, or by arranging lor alternative employment. , Farmers say that Mr Barclay s statement is unsatisfactory, and too late, as they are heavily committed by purchases at ewe fairs and have insufficient feed to carry export ewes over.