THE FREEZING INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23945, 21 October 1939, Page 7

THE FREEZING INDUSTRY

EFFECTS OF THE WAR RESPONSIBILITY ON PRODUCERS “ We all know the gravity of the situation generally and the responsibility which devolves upon the primary producers of this Dominion,” said Mr A. C. Leary, chairman of directors of the. South Otago Freezing Company, Ltd., at the annual meeting yesterday, when, in the course of his address, he referred to the war and its effects on the freezing industry. “ I feel sure. that each and everyone of us will carry his share of that responsibility to the best of his ability.” With another director he had recently attended a conference of representatives of the frozen meat companies in Wellington when various matters of importance were discussed with representatives of the Government. There Was general agreement upon the fact that while the Empire was at war there must be a measure of control of primary products required for war purposes. " The Imperial Government has made arrangements,” he said, “ for the purchase of all the exportable surplus of New Zealand meat, also of certain by-products, at prices and upon conditions yet to be announced. Freezing companies will be responsible for the drafting of stock and the processing and delivery of the products to the authorities. The considered opinion of the conference was that the Interests of the producers would best be served by those products not required by the Imperial Government being left with the companies to be marketed by them through the usual channels on their own account. In our opinion it, is-essen-tial that the business connections through which the products of the industry have hitherto been marketed should, as far as possible, be preserved so that normal marketing can be resumed at the conclusion of the war.”