FREEZING WORKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27210, 13 October 1949, Page 6

FREEZING WORKS

NOT RECOMMENDED SOUTHLAND PETITION HOUSE COMMITTEE'S REPORT Parliamentary Reporter i WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. As far as actual capacity is concerned, it would appear that with present and projected extensions to existing works tnere is no need for any new export treezing works to be built in Southland in the immediate future. This was the opinion expressed by the Agricultural and Pastoral Committee of the tlouse of Representatives which reported to-night on the petition of the southland farmers who sought the issue of an additional licence. The committee heard lengthy evidence, and its report will be discussed by the House on Thursday night. After having carefully considered the evidence, it was- stated, the committee was bound to report that it had no recommendation to make on the petition.

In the past, it was stated, conditions in the freezing industry in Southland had not been satislactqry, nor had labour been sufficient or general killing facilities adequate for the needs of the primary producers of Southland. That was due to a variety of causes, some of which could have been remedied earlier by the Me s at Board had it exercised its potential authority to a greater extent. “ The committe is satisfied on the evidence presented to it that conuitions in these works have, impi&ved in recent years, and are not now fistte‘rially different from conditions in the freezing industry in otner par\s of New Zealand.” states the report. “To build works for which there is no immediate apparent need would not only be wasteful of labour and material, but would also,, when such works came into operation." reduce the output of and draw labour Irom the existing works to an extent that would render their operations uneconomic. Thai would inevitably to the disadvantage both of the. workers m the industry and of the farmers in Southland.”

After stressing the need for a close and accurate check to be kept on the numbers of stock leaving Southland for killing works north of Baiciutha, and also to keep a record of ail other relevant data, the committee stated that the whole position should be regularly and periodically reviewed by the Meat Board and the Government in consultation with Federated Farmers of Southland.

“It will then be the responsibility of the Meat Board and the Government to determine when it becomes economic to grant a licence for a new freezing works,” the report. The, committee - endorsed the announced policy of the Meat Board with 'regard to the control of freezing works in the Dominion, and considered that in the interests of the primary producers and of New Zealand s economy generally, any further extension of the control of the meat processing industry in this country by overseas concerns was undesirable, and should oe prevented. - Finally, the committee recorded approval of the general policy of Federated Farmers to encourage producer control of -the processing and marketing of primary products. It believed that the Meat Board should foster the development of JNew Zealand-owned works, especially those in which producers had major control, and should take every opportunity open to it to prepare the way towards co-operative ownership of the industry in which so many workers were engaged and with which farmers were so vitally concerned.