NEW MEAT WORKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23072, 24 June 1938, Page 9

NEW MEAT WORKS

BEQUEST FOR LICENCE SOUTHLAND APPLICATION CONSIDERATION BY board [by telegraph—PßESS association] INVERCARGILL, Thursday An admission that more competition in the buying of fat stock for export was needed in Southland was made by the chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Export Control Board, Mr. T. A. Duncan, when the board heard evidence on the subject of a new freezing works from a gathering of about 500 farmers in Invercargill to-day. Members of the board appeared to be in general agreement that more killing and storage accommodation was necessary, and that the main question to decide was by what means that extra accommodation could be secured —by the extension of the existing three works, or by the erection of an additional works. Numerous complaints of delay suffered by Southland farmers in getting their stock killed this season were made to the board and a sheaf of written complaints was handed in. Farmers' Resolution

There was also a petition signed by nearly 1000 farmers, who asked that An additional licence should bo granted for a works in the province.

After a conference with the board, the two farmers' factions, country delegates and the provincial executive of tho Farmers' Union, met and carried tho following resolution: — "That in the'event of a new licence being granted for a freezing works in Southland, the Meat Board should be asked to secure guarantees from tho four operating companies, including, the successful applicant, as follows: " (4) That they will,provide for the forthcoming and. following seasons an adequate killing and storage accommodation for a normal increase in the production of Southland and" South Otago. Reduced Freezing Charges "(b) That freezing charges are reduced by, say, 20 per cent provided that the operating costs are not substantially increased. "(c) That adequate slaughtering and storage facilities should be provided for all other exporters who may wish to utilise the companies' services. "(d) That tho buying schedule should be equal to, or better than, the Canterbury schedule." The chairman of the board, after receiving the resolution, stated that he felt that the board, would support it. Tho board would take time to consider whether a new licence should be issued, or whether tho position could .be met by an extension, of the existing works in Southland.