BUTCHERS IN CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1929, Page 10

BUTCHERS IN CONFERENCE

INTERESTS OF THE TRADE

LARGE MEETING IN STRATFORD.

THE SECOND ANNUAL MEETING.

The second annual conference of the Taranaki Master Butchers’ Association was held in Stratford yesterday, when the president, Mr. W. G. Simpson, Hawera, presided over about 40 members from all parts of the province. Apologies were received from Messrs. S. G. Smith, W. J. Polson, C. A. Wilkinson and H. G. Dickie, M.’sP. The delegates were welcomed by the Mayor of Stratford (Mr. J. W. McMillan), who remarked with a smile that the prosperous appearance of members seemed to indicate the success of the butchery business of Taranaki. ‘'Once,” said the Mayor, “conferences of this nature were looked upon with suspicion. People thought they were called with the object of raising prices, but now everyone realises the very real value of progressive periodic discussions.” Speaking personally, said Mr. McMillan, he had of recent times noted a marked improvement in the quality of the meat supplied to the public. This was a matter for gratification and was a tribute to the sincerity of the butchers themselves. As far ‘as the borough of Stratford was concerned it was associated with the butchers in the ordinary working of the abattoir, and he was pleased to say that the relations between the b•'rough, the butchers and the inspectors had always been of a most cordial nature. He wished the conference success in its deliberations. Members were welcomed by the chairman,- who said how pleased he was to see so large an attendance. There were many matters requiring immediate attention in the interests of the trade. They had been neglected too long. Nowadays, almost every kind of business seemed to be organising, and until the association was formed there had been a danger of the butchers being left behind. The strong representation apparent from the meeting indicated a coordination of opinions and a general desire to help one another. There had been an impression that the primary reason for the association coming into existence was to combat the demands of employees. This was an entirely wrong idea. Mr. Simpson mentioned that members of the committee or of organisations set. up for some particular reason had worked in entire agreement during the year. He thank'd the secretary (Mr. W. Power) for his excellent work and paid a tribute to the members of the executive for the interest they had shown. THE INSPECTION ACT. ■ After dealing with matters that had received attention during the year, the annual report stated that the Slaughtering and Inspection Act had received further attention. Recently the association appointed a deputation which waited upon the Minister of Agriculture. the deputation being advised that the Slaughtering and Inspection. Act would come before the House at an early date for revision and amendment. The association had been advised that ample opportunity would be afforded to give evidence before the agricultural and stock committee. As this matter was of Dominion importance and embraced the question of compensation for condemned stock, the association had sought the co-operation of the master butchers’ associations throughout the Dominion.

It was with pleasure that the executive had to report that the New Plymouth master butchers had decided to join the association. All master butchers were urged to become members of the association and existing members were urged to do all in their power to induce other master butchers (who ate not already members)- to become members. The" financial position as disclosed by the accounts was satisfactory in so far as membership was concerned, but outstanding subscriptions were out of all proportion. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the chairman said amendments to the Slaughtering and Inspection Act had been one of the most important matters before the association. They asked that the question of compensation for diseased carcases be reviewed in the direction of increasing the rates of compensation. “When it is possible for one of our members to lose £2O. in ten days from this cause it shows how pressing is the need for an amendment.” he said. All agreed that the general public bad to be protected, but the association could not see why the butchers should be penalised. Prices for compensation had been fixed about 20 years ago and had not been altered since. On the other hand values then and now had become totally different. The association had made representation on this matter to the proper quarter and he understood an amendment to the existing Act was coming before the House shortly, when butchers would have an opportunity of givirfa evidence. As the matter was of Dominion-wide application the secretary had got in touch with other similar associations, with the result that he believed the trade would be able to present a united front in their demand for consideration. A dozen people might handle a bullock during its ' life, but the loss, if the animal happened to be diseased, fell only upon the butcher. Mr. Simpson admitted there already was provision for butchers to band together and go in for a comprehensive insurance scheme against loss through animals being diseased, but this, he contended, was not the- solution, RATES OF COMPENSATION. The suggested new rates for compensation were: Bullocks and maiden heifers, 3d per lb.; cows, 2Jd; pigs, 4d; wether mutton, 4d; ewes, 3d. It was felt by the association that a higher scale of compensation would still further protect the public because there would be no incentive to overlook disease and an inspector would be called in whenever there was a suspicious carcase.

AUCTIONING AND HAWKING. After touching on the matter of the growth of membership and the necessity for paying subscriptions promptly, the chairman went on to discuss the danger from the sale of fresh meat at auction marts and to outline the steps being taken to combat the practice. Generally speaking, he said, whenever the association had received a complaint from a member it had been attended to., For eample, cases had been reported of farmers killing beasts and selling the meat in country districts. “We don’t object in the slightest to farmers becoming butchers as long as they open shop's and submit to the usual regulations, but we do object to advantage being taken of the provision that a farmer may kill one beast a week for the needs of his employees,” he said. Thee was only one way to prevent that kind of thing, and that was to insist that all regulations applying to butchers should apply to all persons selling any kind of fresh meat, DISCUSSION BY MEMBERS. Mr. W. Sole seconded the motion and nave his views on the question of closing and the need, sometimes, for paying overtime in order to get the premises cleaned up and ready for reopening. Mr. W- Smith (Inglewood) asked for further particulars regarding the selling of meat by'unauthorised persons. The chairman mentioned cases reported to the association and quoted instances where farmers had sold meat from ordinary open milk carts, subject to dust, flies and other nuisances. Mr. Smith said inspectors were always keen to visit shops, but he thought they should spend more time in country districts. Following a discussion on the question of hawking meat, Mr. W. Sole remarked that the New Plymouth Borough Council had a by-law prohibiting hawking. < Mr. A. Ware (Eltham): Any chance of borrowing a couple of councillors for Eltham ? Members said meat could be hawked in Wanganui but not in Hawera. Further discussion went to show that there were many difficulties, as the definition of “hawking” was of wide application. Several suggestions were made and replied to, the report and balance-sheet being then adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mr. G. W. Simpson (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs. W. Sole (New Plymouth) and M. Bairaclough (Hawera); executive, Messrs. F. A. Reesby (Inglewood), C. J. Lamplough (Stratford), J. S. Wilson (New Plymouth), A. Ware (Eltham), E. Walsh (Eltham), C. S. Barclay (Manutahi); auditor, Mr. G. A. Carter (Stratford). The annual meeting then resolved into the annual conference, a comprehensive statement of the association’s activities and of matters of interest to the trade being given by the secretary. A lengthy discussion ensued on the advisability or otherwise of instituting steps with a view to establishing a universal price for retailing meat throughout Taranaki, but no action was taken. The conference then proceeded to discuss the “proposal to place a small supercharge on parcels of meat for delivery and booking. There was divergence of opinion on the question of charging for delivery, the situation of the shop being an essential factor governing this matter, but it was felt reasonable to suggest a uniform extra charge for booking, credit being the same in the town as in the country. The practice is already generally in vogue in some towns, and while no action was taken, it was suggested that butchers in individual communities should decide the matter for themselves. Following the conference, members adjourned to the Commercial Hotel for thh annual dinner. After dinner the toast of the Taranaki Master Butchers’ Association was proposed by Mr. C. L. Grant, who congratulated the chairman on the way the business of the meeting had been conducted and upon his re-election as president. He foresaw great possibilities for mutual benefit arising from the work of the association. In reply Mr. Simpson suggested that the dinner function should be repeated .in six months’ time. He touched briefly on the work of the association and said nothing gave him greater pleasure than the knowledge that he had the confidence of the executive. Other toasts were: Kindred Associations (M. W. Barra clough—J. S. Wilson), The Ladies (Mr. A. Ware),< Host and Hostess (Mr. and Mrs. Ryan), the President, the Secretary (Mr. C. B. Barker), and the Press.

The enjoyment of the evening was enhanced by the manner in which members entered into the camaraderie of the evening, stories, songs and anecdotes being freely interchanged. ( ELTHAM MUNICIPAL “Hot News,” screening -at the Eltham Municipal Theatre, on Tuesday, is one of those pictures full of action and thrills -which keep patrons on edge with expectation right to the finish. The st try is that of a screen paper proprietor s daughter, Patricia, who endeavours to assist her father against the activities of a rival paper. The opposition have an active, virile and daring cameraman, who risks everything to collect “scoops. ’ Patricia is desperate, and her daring leads her into some alarming situations, including car smashes, shipwreck?, and filming from planes. No one can see the filming of an aeroplane from the top of the Statue of Liberty without gasping, and many of the other scenes are equally terrifying. This is one of the most thrilling pictures yet shown. A real good supporting programme is provided. PERSONAL ITEMS. Constable F. Townsend, Eltham, who has been confined to his home through indisposition for the past two week's, is considerably improved in health and epects to resume duty shortly.