HAWKES BAY FARMERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 23 February 1931, Page 8

HAWKES BAY FARMERS

POSITION REGARDING FAT STOCK

A deputation from the New Zealand Meat Producers Board waited on the Prime Minister (the Rt. lion. G. W. Forbes) and the Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. A. Veiteh) in regard to the heavy additional cost which the farmers in the Hawkes Bay earthquake area are being put to to rail their fat stock to the freezing works in other districts, owing to the demolition of the Hawkes Bay freezing works. Mr David Jones, M.P. (chairman of the board) emphasised the desperate position which the farmers of Hawkes Bay were in to-day. He read a telegram which the Board had received on the subject from freezing works in the Hawkes Bay district, and pointed out that the freezing conipanies _ who are now killing the stock are making every possible concession to meet the position. It was also pointed out that the Railway Department would obtain additional revenue, owing to the circumstances which have arisen, in railing the fat stock for much longer distances than under normal circumstances. Mr Jones stated that at a meeting of the Board the position had been carefully considered, and the Meat Board was prepared to give £IOOO towards the cost of the concession if the Government would make a reduction of 25 per cent, on the railage rates on fat stock consigned to freezing works fr.om stations north of Matamau (including the Wairoa-'Waikokopu section). Mr J. S. Jcssep (Wairoa), a member of the hoard, also spoke from first-hand experience of the serious position which exists in the district.

The Prime 'Minister, in reply, said the Government was anxious to do what it could for farmers in the stricken area, and he would go into the matter carefully with his colleague, the Hon. Minister of Railways.