Co-operative Purchase Of Meat Works

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 157, 5 July 1945, Page 8

Co-operative Purchase Of Meat Works

OTAKI-TE HORO FARMERS RAISE OBJECTION

Strong opposition to the suggested purchase of the Nghauranga Meat Works by the New Zealand .Farmers 7 Union on a cooperative basis was voiced by Mr. J. Galloway on behalf of the Otaki-Te Horo branch when he submitted a remit to this effect at a meeting of the Manawatu provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union in Palmerston North yesterday. Mr. H. J, McLeavey presided. Mr. Lloyd Hammond, a member of the New Zealand Meat Board, was in attendance to discuss various aspects of the proposals with the members.

Mr. Galloway, who spoke for threequarters of an hour on this subject, said that the suggestion fey acquiring the meat works was directly assisting the Government in its present policy of “all-out” socialisation. He quoted extensively from various authorities to show that the Ngahauranga Meat Works were not a sound financial proposition. The proposed cost, he said, was £155,000 and in his opinion as an engineer it would require £200,000 to be spent to make the works and buildings properly modern and up-to-date. Replying, Mr. Hammond said that the Electoral College was definitely opposed to the transfer of any further licenses to overseas interests. Although he appreciated that money would- have to be spent to renovate the Ngahauranga Works, he held that it was of primary importance that the works should not pass into the hands of Swifts. He reiterated the warning he gave at the Inter-Provincial Conference in Palmerston North in June regarding events in Argentine and said that they could not allow a similar situation to arise in New Zealand. Two thirds of the cash required would be made available by the Meat Board and the remaining third would be raised among the farmers who would send their stock to the works.

After a lengthy discussion, it was decided to hold the remit over until Mr. Lloyd Hammond could address a meeting of farmers in the Otaki-Te Horo district, and place the position fully before them.