DEAR MEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14507, 22 October 1910, Page 8

DEAR MEAT.

THE WAIHI PROTEST. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Waihi, Friday. As the outcome of a recently held public meeting convened for the purpose of protesting against the rise in the price of butchers' meat, a deputation consisting of Messrs. W. E. Parry, G. Colebrook, and A. Brown, waited upon the Waihi Borough Council last night with a request that, the Council should take steps to municipalise the meat supply. Mr. Parry spoke at eome length, contending that the* advance in price was not justified, and urging the Council to establish a municipal butchery, with a view to bringing the price within the means of the workers. Messrs. Colebrook and Brown supported the recommendation. The Mayor (Mr. J. Newth), in replying, informed the deputation that while the Municipal Corporations Act gave the local authority power to municipalise gas and water supplies, and certain other requirements, legal opinion taken by the Council showed that they had 110 power to start, a municipal butchery. Mr. Parry then urged the Council to make representations to the Government with a view to amending the Act so as to ! give the local authority the necessary ! power, but, on the motion of Mr. M. G. Power, seconded by Mr. W. Brown, it was decided that the Council take no action in the matter. A local butchery firm wrote offering the Council their business and plant at a, price to be fixed by an independent valuation, less 20 per cent, on the valuation arrived at, and with no charge for the goodwill. In view of the decision arrived at no action was taken, the Council simply receiving the letter.