THE MEAT INDUSTRY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4403, 17 March 1941, Page 2

THE MEAT INDUSTRY

THE PRESENT CRISIS. QUESTION OF STORAGE. At the annual meeting of the Northern King Country executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Uiiion, very serious concern was expressed concerning the meat position, and, in discussing this issue, strong feeling was evident on the subject of killing and handling costs. The followingresolution was carried:— “That in view of the crisis developing in the meat industry, the State should accept all responsibility for the maintaining of the standard of living of the meat producers on a level comparative with that of other sections of the community, even if this involves radical adjustments in the economy of the Dominion.” As first proposed by the secretary, the resolution contained clauses that the provision of extra freezing space should not be extended beyond the point that the deterioration of the meat would destroy the capital value; that all stock should be accepted for killing at the works; and that representatives of the industry should be consulted fully before any restrictions were imposed upon the storage of meat. These latter clauses were, however, deleted from the resolution before it was carried.

It was held that the main thing was that the Government should accept its responsibility to meet the war situation that had arisen, and that at present this should be the matter to be stressed by the Union. Representations regarding limitation of store space were held to be unwarranted the large meat companies would be fully aware of the period that meat could be kept in store before deterioration, and would plan their space accordingly. Mr Fairburn stressed that Farmers’ Union experts were of the opinion that whatever happened, meat should continue to go through the works, sof the anticipated large post-war demand would find New