SLAUGHTERING LICENSE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 15 July 1910, Page 4

SLAUGHTERING LICENSE.

e THE BJNKS MEAT COMPANY. A representative deputation of master butchers waited upon the Mayor and the members of the Abattoirs Committee yesterday afternoon, with a request that the Banks Meat Co., 'Ltd., be granted a renewal of its slaughtering license. Mr. Dickinson, of the firm of Dickinson Brothers, was the principal speaker, and in presenting a largely-sighed petition in. support of the deputation's request, pointed out that the Banks Company had gone to considerable expense in erecting up-to-date abattoirs on its own property, and had consistently supplied Govern-ment-inspected meat to its clients. The main objection to the closing-down of the company's abattoirs was the fact that the smaller butchers would only have one source of meat supply—the Wellington Meat . Export Company—instead, of, two, as at present. With two sources of supply,, it was felt that reasonable rates would prevail. The closing-down of one of -these sources of supply would create an undesirable, monopoly. Councillor G. Shirtcliffe said that ht knew of no other'community, possessing a public abattoir, which permitted the existence of a private slaughtering-house similar to that owned by the Banks Company. He doubted whether the closingdown of this particular abattoir would create a monopoly, as had been suggested. Would it not be possible for the small traders to get their supplies from the bigger firms? (A member of the deputation: We would be worse off than ever,). The Banks Meat Company was carrying on a slaughtering business in contravention of the Act. . Replying to the deputation, the Mayor said that the matter had been referred to Mr.'C. P. Skerrett, for a legal opinion on the issues involved. Until that came to 'hand, it would, of course, bo impossible to come to a definite decision one way or another. He thanked the deputation* for its attendance, for the views expressed by the various speakers, who were experts on this particular question, had been most helpful.