MUNICIPAL ABATTOIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 35, 10 February 1905, Page 2

MUNICIPAL ABATTOIRS.

(Continued from Page 3~) Mr G. L. Peacocke brought the matter of the proposal of the Farmers' Freezing Company to the City Council re municipal abattoir* before the meeting of the Agricultural Association tlxis afternoon. He moved: (1) "That the Association, in the interests of the whole body of farmers as .producers, the public of Auckland ua consumers, deaires to heartily support the proposals made by the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company to the City Council with respect to providing for the erection of public a-battoirs at the company's freezing works; (2) that, as between what i.s practically on the one side a imtchers'' wholesale and retail trading company, and on the other a body of larmers associated to erect freezing works, to protect the mutual interests of the producers and the consumers against a threatened monopoly in the meat trade of Auckland, tlm Metropolitan Agricultural and Pastoral Association trusts that the most important municipal body in the province will, by its action in deciding.between the sets of proposals placed before it, at the meeting of the Agricultural Association this afternoon." Mr Peaco-eke, in speaking to the resolution, said lie brought them forward without notice, as the ma-tter was of gTeat importance. The farmers should certainly support the Farmers' Freezing Association, as against a private company, the offers being practically the same. The charges proposed by the Freezing Company were very moderate. The scale of charges to butchers suggested were considerably lower than the charges at the Dunedin city abattoirs. Mr C. Kings well protested against this matter being brought forward wiinout notice. Mr Peaeoeke was really asking the association to support the Farmers' Freezing Company aa against the Hellaby Company. This matter was not on the order paper. The chairman said the matter was of great importance. Mr Kingswell: Notice oiight to be given. The Chairman: I rule Mr Peacocke in order. Mr Kingswell: Theo I >aeeept, ,your ruling. Mr Peacocke said the publication of the terms offered by the Freezing Company gave the opportunity of slightly lower terms being offered. He contended it was to the interest of all that if any arrangement was entered into it should be with the farmers and not a private company. The Freezing Company did not propose to do any retail trade here, but merely to be in a position to export stock in the event of a glut in the market. Meanwhile, if the city accepted the terms it would keep the works going. The difference in the fcjvjp scales of prices offered wa3 really, only-in the favour, of- butchers. They should not risk either farmers or consumers having only one company to go to. either to buy or sell their meat. Mr R. Dick seconded the motion. He deprecated importing any personal feeling into the matter, jfl this dase the Farmers' Freezing Company made the first offer, and were therefore entitled to first consideration. As a Farmers' Association their sympathies must be with the Farmers' Freezing Company. -Mr Kingswell moved as an amendment that consideration of the matter be postponed for a fortnight, and pointed out that there were about butchers, members oi their Association. They should work on the Agricultural and Pastoral Association's interest aloue, and not interfere between the companies. Mr Rutherford strongly supported the motion, as being in the 'interests of the farmers, and the general consumer. Mr Rhodes objected to interfering in the matter. Finally the motion was adopted- Mr asked to have his protest recorded.