MEAT INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26779, 24 May 1948, Page 6

MEAT INDUSTRY

DISPOSAL METHODS COMMISSION HEARS FURTHER EVIDENCE P.A. AUCKLAND, May 21. If the schedule, system for the disposal of stock was adopted, a number of saleyards might have to close, and in any case it would be more difficult to maintain them. This opinion was expressed by the Auckland Stock and Station Agents’ Association in evidence to-day before the Commission of Inquiry, investigating fresh meat supplies throughout the Dominion. The agents considered the closing of saleyards would not only be a loss to the owners, but to those who had invested ■ capital in them. In many cases they were owned by farmers, and closing them would be harmful to the meat industry as a whole. The loss of a market day would adversely affect trade in country towns, many of which owed their existence to the fact that they were stock saleyard centres. If the auction system was discontinued, it would also be harmful to farmers, particularly small ones. It was the most practical way of marketing farmers’ stock, and to substitute an untried and unworkable system would upset farming economy by decreasing production when farmers should be encouraged to increase their output. Evidence for the stock and station agents was given by R. H. Stewart, manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., and G. C. Leighton, of Alfred Buckland an Sons, Ltd. They said they considered a great deal of second-grade meat was as good eating as first grade Housewives, largely for psychological reasons, had a habit of asking for first grade. It was felt that the basis of the grading system could be altered with advantage. The New Zealand housewife should not have to purchase chilled or frozen meat in an agricultural and pastoral country. The opinion that freezing companies, if allowed to extend their in the retail trade without restraint might, by using their great financial resources, obtain complete control of the trade, was expressed by G. F Lane, general manager of the Auckland Meat Company. It would also be detrimental to farmers who when freedom of trade was restored, would welcome the competition of retail butchers for their fat stock.