CHEAP MEAT SUPPLIES

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18723, 25 August 1932, Page 3

CHEAP MEAT SUPPLIES

LOCAL BODY DISTRIBUTION. UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD’S SCHEME BEFORE BOROUGH COUNCIL. An Unemployment Board schemo to provide relief workers with cheap meat by distributing supplies from local body offices was before a meeting of the Borough Council last evening. A letter from the Department of Labour, Hamilton, stated that the Unemployment Board had at its disposal a quantity of beef and mutton which could be made available for unemployed men If tho local authorities would control its distribution. It suggestod that the earnings of the men would he reduced by is a week for a three-day man and Is Gd a week for a four-day man. In lieu of the money the men would receive tickets of equal value which would be exchangeable for meat. It was proposed that the council should open a depot, and It would bo the duty of the local Labour office to see that meat was available at tho depot on days to be arranged. Labour would be supplied under schemo No. 5 to distribute the meat. Tho cost of the meat to the workers would be about l|d per lb. Under the schema the oounoll would have to provide premises, a chopping block and scales. It was ■suggested that the latter could be hired at a small weekly charge. On present indications a supply of meat could be guaranteed for four or five months. As it was understood that the Waikato Social Welfaro League had been informed that tho supply of meut to it would bo discontinued at an early date, the office required tho council’s decision as early as possible.

"It is a very difficult matter," said the Mayor (in-. F. D. Pinfold). “Wc can infer from it that wo will soon have to be setting up a milk cart, hoot shop, fruit stall and what not. The Welfare League lias boon distributing meat in an efficient manner, and tile matter should lie left lo it." At the Mayor’s suggestion it lie question was referred lo the Legal and the Finance Uoininillee to consider, wi lll Die proviso that any decision arrived at. should not cause any undue interference with local butchers.