Farmers Discuss Quota System At Meat Works

Press, Volume C, Issue 29510, 11 May 1961, Page 8

Farmers Discuss Quota System At Meat Works

“During the year strenuous efforts were made to have the quota system, as it applies to killing of fat stock in the CanteidUry freezing works, abolished, but this was unsuccessful However, there was an increase of 10,300 a day over all Canterbury works during normal working hours. This coupled with the fact that we have had a very favourable season climatically caused no undue delays to farmers getting their fat stock killed." said Mr A. C. Wright in his report to the annual conference of the meat and wool section of North Canterbury Federated Farmers yesterday “It is to be hoped freezing companies, in the light of this increase in tihe killing quota, will push ahead with their expansion programme. If they do not, then the building of another’freezing works to cope with expanding production should be thoroughly looked into.

“It should be clearly under, stood that any obstacle that hinders processing, whether it be the quota system or competing for space by any other means, is another hindrance to increased production," said Mr Wright. Negotiations Later in the conference the following remit was moved by Mr D. G. McGrath for the Oxford branch and seconded by Mr A. P. Boyle: “That the committee set up to expedite killing at the Canterbury freezing works resume negotiations with a view to abolishing the quota.” Mr Wright said an investigating committee was going to investigate the whole question of killings in the South Island with a view to the establishment of another freezing works. It might be better to make application to give evidence to that committee.

Sir Walter Mulholland said the quota was not introduced necessarily for the benefit of the workers. If the quota was abolished some restriction would have to be put on the number of lambs put through on a chain. “The thing that is really wrong with this is that the union fixes the quota. If the quota was fixed from time to time in agreement with the management I don't think we would have much fault to find with it. I think you should keep in mind that the quota would be all right if

it was operated in the interests of the industry. But it has been too largely in the hands of the union secretary, and he has done what he has thought fit," said Sir Walter Mulholland.

On the motion of Mr A. F. Wright. seconded by Mr P. D. H. Bush, the remit was amended as, follows and carried: 4 “That the committee set up to expedite Killing at the Canterbury freezing works resume negotiations on the whole question of the quota.” Mr J. H. A. Holhs moved and Mr J. V. McCracken seconded a motion that application be made for permission to make submissions to the investigating committee] and that the section's cdm-1 mittee go ahead with the preparation of submissions.

This motion was carried by the conference.