MEAT SURPLUS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21245, 16 October 1940, Page 9

MEAT SURPLUS

WAR SOLVES PROBLEM STORAGE INADEQUATE EMERGENCY IN VIEW By Telegraph.—rrr«« • DUNEDIN. Tuesday Reference to the fact that but for the outbreak of the war. which caused the lifting of the embargo by Great Britain. 1.000.000 carcases of mutton would have remained in storage in New Zealand unwanted by the world, was made at a meeting of the Otago Provincial Council of the Farmers’ Union today, when an address on the operations of the Meat Board was given by Mr .f. D. Revie chairman of the electoral committee of the board. “But for the war.” the chairman. Mr R. S. Thompson, said, “those 1.000.000 carcases would have remained in our stores and the farming community would be in a hopeless position today. There are 20.000.000 people in Britain who had less than 10s a week to spend on food and would have welcomed the meat, but not only was the Imperial Government prepared to let its own people starve, it was prepared to ruin the farming industry >n New Zealand. That position must nevei arise again.” All Endeavours Fail Outlining the position of the New Zealand meat industry at the outbreak of the war, Mr Revie said there were 44,000 tons of surplus meat in storage in the Dominion on August 31, 1939, and there did not seem to be a possible chance of disposing of the carcases. The United Kingdom Government could not and would not take this surplus. Strenuous endeavours were made throughout the world to dispose of this surplus meat, but without success.

Then came the war, Mr Revie said, and the embargo was lifted. New Zealand was thus able to dispose of this surplus meat. During the past year there were, of course, no embargoes on New Zealand meat and it was practically certain that freezing works would be empty when the new season began. Prepare For Emergency “There is a great need for more storage for frozen meat in New Zealand.” Mr Revie said. “Some freezing companies. I feel sure, have not played the game. At the present time we have only 70 per cent storage, whereas we should have 100 per cent for our meat. The Government should make available to freezing companies all the material necessary for providing more storage space. The freezing companies have a grave responsibility to utilise and erect additional storage wherever possible. “Grave events are happening overseas and it is possible that we may have to face an emergency.” Mr Revie said. “Consequently we should have full storage for our meat in case of such happening. The war is spreading and the seas are becoming more and more dangerous every day. In a meat producing country such as ours it is essential to have the greatest storage possible.”