DEHYDRATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 71, 29 June 1942, Page 6

DEHYDRATION

.«« AUSTRALIANS GET BUSY UNION'S GONCrRATULATIONS At Ihsl Kxcoutivc meeting of the Auckland Farmers' Union the chairman, Captain H. M. Rushworth, drew attention to. a cable that had recentl3 r appeared in the Press referring to the steps being taken by the Federal Government to fulfill the requirements -of the British Government in the supply of dehydrated mutton. The Minister of Commerce, Mr W. J. Scully, lie , said, had announced that he was asking for a vote of £200,000 to establish dehydration plants. He stated that the requirements of the British Government, 25,000 tons, would involve the treatment of about 10,000,000 carcases. Meanwhile, said the chairman, the New Zealand Government so far as could be ascertained, had done nothing, though it Avas now over a twelve month since the Union had first drawn its attention to the desirability and the practical ability of hydration as well; as the urgency of its adoption; and it was over a months, Avithout material success so to New Zealand from Britain." One of the delegates assured the meeting that up to date there had been no move in anj' of the local freezing works for the installation of a hydration plant. Captain Rushworth said he had felt so strongly on the matter that he had drafted the following cablegram to send to Mr Scully: "Congratulations on your energy and vision in pressing forward dehydration mutton. Meat-hungry Britishers will bless you if substantial increases in meat ration are made available through your efforts. We have endeavoured for the past 12 months, witout material success so far, to induce our autoritics here to take a similar course."' The chairman said he had forwarded a copy of the proposed cable to the Minister of Marketing, asking if there was an3 r objection to: its despatch, and had received the follow-

ing reply: "II have to advise that the ques'-> tion is one for your own consideration. I might point out, however, that I think that this Government has done equalty as much as the Australian Government in endeavouring t& obtain contracts from the United Kingdom authorities for dried meat." Members described the apparent apathy of the Government as "simply scandalous," and it was unanimously decided that the congratulatory cable to Mr Scully should be sent. It was considered that any suggestion of competitive jealousj r should be cancelled by gralication that our kinsmen overseas would have the opportunity to overcome the prevailing meat shortage. j