NOT MUCH MEAT SOLD ON BLACK MARKET

Chronicle (Levin), 14 March 1947, Page 5

NOT MUCH MEAT SOLD ON BLACK MARKET

-Prssc A.ssociation

'By Tele n Vi-

\\ ivim.uM.jiAUN, Aiar. io. Comnienting on the statenient by Mr. W. ,S. Hughes, prcsident of the Xew Zealand Master Butclters' Pedera tion, a't Gisborne, to the effect that rationing of nieat will becoine iueflective unless leakages th rough " black marketing" are checked, Hon. D. G, Sullivan, Minister of Supplv, said that from iuvestigations and reports received from his ofticers, the illegal sale of meat by farmers to butchers and consumers generally, was not of great uiagnitude. '-Wherever regulations or restrictions are required to be applied in the national interests, it will always be found that a few persons will euVleavour to circumvent them. I lirmly bplieve, however," said Mr. Sullivan, "that the great majority of Xew Zealanders are seized ol: their responsibilities to their kith and kin in Britain in their time of dire need and would UQt wittingly be guilty of actively niilitating against our elt'ort to render the utmost ass'ujtance. L can assure Mr. llughes and members of his federation that the Rationing Controller and his officers will redonble their elforts to stamp out "black marketing" in meat ahd will appreciate any assistance the butchers niay be able to render from time to time in detecting such activities. ' ' Meat rationing continued Mr. Sullivan, had proved most successful in that during the three years it had been ig o}mration appro.vimately 76,000 tons pf meat had been withdrawn from locgl consumption, an achievement which spoke for itself. Toucliing on edible goods and fats consigned to digestors, the Minister stated that it was admitted that substantial quantities of sheep 's brains and trjpes had perforce to be treated in that manner owing to the shortage of labour during the killing season, However, greater quantities of that class of by-product wero now being retrieved bjr freezing works than \yas the case prior to rationing being introduced.