KILLING CHARGES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 62, 8 June 1942, Page 5

KILLING CHARGES

FARMERS' UNION RESULTS

FAIRER DEAL FOR PRODUCERS

On behalf of Northern Thames Sub-pnmnce, Mr A. . Campbell (Waikino) at the annual conference of the ProA'incial Council of tlie New Zealand Farmers' Union, held in Auckland last week, moA'ed: "That the Union take up with the Government the matter of the profits made by freezing companies from offal, since the prices charged to farmers for killings haA*e been fixed; and that these excess profits should, be handed back to the producer in the form of reduced killing fees." Mr Campbell said that when the prices of edible meats was fixed it Avas assumed that the A'alue of oflals was .also taken into consideration. Subsequent increases in offal values Avere not. This should represent a considerable amount, Avhicii should come back to the producer in the form of a remission in killing charges. Mr E. Palliser (S-pringdale) ex-' plained that the killing charges Avere rcvieived from year to year and AA'ere fixed on the current receipts. of the preA'ious years, according. to charts obtained, from the Auckland. Farmers' Freezing Company. If the Farmers' Freezing Company's works Avere staiwed then their charges Avent up and AA'ere reflected in the killing rates. To that extent the farmers had the remedy largely in their own hands by putting more stock through the co-operative Avorks. Mr F. K-». Thomas: (Morrinsville) a director of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, said, he was rather surprised to see the remit that had come forAvard. In contrast to Avhat had happened in other industries there had been no. increase since the war started in killing charges, despite the fact that companies had had to face tremendously; increased 1 costs. The 5 per cant Avage increase Avould add £20,000 to the yearly expenses, and hessian, stockinette, salt, etc. had all. gone up, in some eases to double the . former prices. Mr H. C. McCready (T'aneatua) said that the profits of New Zealand freezing companies had gone up\ £1.000,000. and a Minister had, said it Avould be most difficult to return that money to those aylio had: earned it. Mr Nash said it was an easy Avay to collcct taxation. This Avas money lilehedi from the pockets of men avlio had a hard task to keep I their heads above Avater. j

Mr C. 13. Michie (Kaitaia) said it would be unfortunate to go back and say the remit had been throAA'n out. The remit only asked for an investigation. Farmers AA'ere entitled to knoAv a lot more about Avhat takes place AA'ith regard to their oAvn stock. Thej'i had to care for it long

enough

Mr Briscoi Moore gaA'e an assurance that the matters under discussion Avere under constant reA'ieAv by the Meat Board and the Electoral College.

After further discussion the re-

Mit Avas: carried

The folloAA T ing lavo remits. AA'ere considered together: "That the DairyBoard be asked to encourage and subsidise the training of Veterinary Surgeons for use by the farming

community, as apart from freezing works, etc." ''That the union continue to press for the establishment of a chair of veterinary science in the University of New Zealand.

I'll moving these remits Mr W. P. Begg (Northern Wairoa) said that there Avoultb scarcely be any farmer in the hall avlio had not at sonic time been faced Avith the position of needing skilled assistance to deal with diseased or injured stock and being unable to get it. Qualified

A'cterinary surgeons Avere A'cry scarce

The president emphasised that Avhat Avas really Avantcd Avas to set up a school at the University that could train young men and confer

degrees

Both remits Avere carried