FREEZING WORKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26042, 4 January 1946, Page 6

FREEZING WORKS

OPENING IN SOUTHLAND A BACKWARD SEASON (Special) INVERCARGILL. Jan. 3. The freezing works in Southland opened for the season to-day. The works usually open before Christmas but the start was delayed because of the backward state of the season. It was hoped that the works would open with a full board, but Mr A. Derbie, manager of the Southland Frozen Meat Company, stated that neither the Mataura nor the Makarewa works had commenced with full staffs. This, he thought, was due mainly to the fact that a number of slaughtermen were still engaged on shearing. It was unfortunate that the works could not commence the season with full boards, because there was plenty of stock offering, but it was understandable that farmers should wish to retain their shearers until the job was completed, Mr Derbie added. Shearing had been delayed in Southland by the wet weather last month. At the same time the ample rainfall should ensure plenty of feed and most farmers should therefore be able to hold their stock back from the works without running the risk of loss of condition. In accordance with the terms of the legislation recently passed, Mr Derbie said, the men would be on a 40-hour five-day week this season. Killing would, however, be carried on at the works on Saturday mornings during the season if the quantity of stock offering warranted this. The men would be paid time and a-half for the hours worked on Saturdays. From inquiries made at the Ocean Beach freezing works, it was learnt that the season there opened satisfactorily, though not with a full board of slaughtermen. It was stated, however, that more slaughtermen were expected to report for work within the next few days. Stock was reported to be coming forward in ample numbers and in good condition.