NORTHLAND BUTCHERS MAY CLOSE

Northern Advocate, 5 September 1945, Page 6

NORTHLAND BUTCHERS MAY CLOSE

Determined Stand To Gain Higher Subsidy

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE DECISION OF NORTHLAND BUTCHERS TO CLOSE THEIR SHOPS INDEFINITELY FROM MONDAY IF THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WTH A REQUEST FOR AN IMMEDIATE ADVANCE OF 2d PER POUND ON ALL MEAT HAVE OCCURRED AND THE POSITION IN NORTHLAND IS REGARDED AS SERIOUS.

Butchers' shops will be closed throughout Northland on Monday if the Government does not meet the position, and will remain closed until some action to relieve the position is taken. In other parts of the Dominion butchers’ shops will close on Monday only, to permit mass meetings of butchers to be held.

A telegram has been received by Mr R. G, Russell, of Whangarei, secretary of the Northland Master Butchers’ Industrial Association of Employers, from the Frime Minister (Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) in reply to a telegram from the association that unless action was taken by the Government no meat would be available for sale in the Northland industrial district as from Monday, September 10, and asking for a reply by Thursday, September 6, to obviate this drastic step being taken. ‘T have received your telegram and, in reply, wish to state that I am referring your representations to the ministers concerned and to the Stabilisation Commission for their consideration,” the Prime Minister’s telegram stated.

Concern at Delay,

In an urgent circular letter received by Mr Russell this morning from the New Zealand Master Butchers’ Industrial Association of Employers, it is stated that, at an executive meeting last Friday, much concern was expressed at the delay which was taking place in obtaining increases in the price of meat to cover general increased costs. The special committee set up by the association advised that Dr. Mazengarb, together with Mr A. M. Anderson, a public accountant. appeared with members of the committee before the Price Tribunal on August 28 and the whole day was spent in presenting a case and giving evidence. Much disappointment had been ex-pr-essed by members of the committee at the results obtained. The tribunal had since advised that it was intended to inspect a cross section of retail butchers’ books throughout the Dominion, with a view to ascertaining whether or not retailers can absorb the increased costs. Dominion-Wide Action Another important question that Pact been considered was the stock supply and the high prices ruling in the various markets. As a result of discontent and dissatisfaction with the treatment meted out to butchers, due to restrictions on prices, it was decided by the executive that all retail butchers’ shops throughout New Zealand should close for one whole c-ay on Monday, September 10. and that each association should be asked to call a wbcie-day meeting for that day. The executive considers that, owing to the difficulties that have arisen as a result of the high prices ruling, immediate and Dominion-wide action is deemed advisable. and local secretaries arc therefore requested to call a meeting to consider tlie following questions., the letter continues. The meeting should agree to adopt whatever decision may be arrived at by the executive of the New Zealand organisation. which will consider the replies received from all local organisations as a result of next Monday’s meetings. Questions for Decision Questions the association wishes discussed at each meeting are:— (1) Are the members of our association prepared to stock only frozen meat in their shops for a period fo be decided by the executive of the New Zealand Master Butchers’ Association? <?.) Is your association prepared to give effect to the conference’s decision to accept a buying schedule to cover all operations. which would mean that ail meats will be bought at schedule hook weights? (3) Is your association desirous of having pork made available for retail sale? (4) In the event of all avenues being exhausted in an endeavour to obtain a subsidy sufficient to make (lie selling price of meat satisfactory, what universal action does your association recommend the New Zealand organisation to take? Recommendations are to be forwarded to the New Zealand Master Butchers’ Association’s office in Wellington as soon as possible so that they can be dealt witn as expeditiously as possible. As far as the Northland butchers are concerned a reply has to be received from the Prime Minister by tomorrow night to permit buying of stock for killing if the shops are not to close indefinitely.