SHOULD BE GIVEN PREFERENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 52, 27 February 1945, Page 5

SHOULD BE GIVEN PREFERENCE

FAT STOCK FOR EXPORT

CARRIAGE BY RAIL

A protest at the refusal of the Railway Department to carry fat stock for export was made at the | quarterly meeting of the Bay of Plenty Sub-Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union in Tauranga. The. protest which came from the Katikati branch received the unanimous' support of the meeting. It was urged that fat stock be given preference over stock for local consumption believing that the needs overseas were much more urgent that "our own" and should have first priority. Mr S. A. Wells (Katikati) in moving the motion, remarked that the men overseas and' the people in. England were going to go short while the Auckland waterside workers and the Huntly miners were going to get their meat. The. principle was wrong he thought. Obligations to England should be kept up •— The motion was seconded by Mr Thompson (Opotiki). Mr J. Mullins (Rangitaiki) thought that there might, be something more behind the present position. It might be governed by the stock and shipping position. Mr Wells: The position is governed by coal purely and simply. The president (Mr R. W. Strugnell): It won't, help the people in England if the people in New Zealand starve. Mr J. K. Hamilton (Tauranga) j said the. position was an absurd one. 1-Ie thought the motion would have gone through without discussion. It was explained by Mr C. O. Riddell (Te Puke) that, some of the meat was deteriorating. The meat carted on the railways should be for the Allies and Services. Mr E. P. Whyte (Katikati) was of the opinion that exports for overseas should be given first, priority. (Since the discussion at the Farmers' Union conference the position has changed somewhat and according to the latest advice from the Railways Department practically all stock is now being carried. It was also explained that the position was governed by the supply of. wagons available, —Ed. The Times.)