MEAT FAMINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26619, 15 November 1947, Page 6

MEAT FAMINE

CLOSING OF SHOP PORT CHALMERS PROBLEM CONTROLLER RENEWS SUPPLY The problem of residents of Port Chalmers, who were unable to obiain supplies of meat when one of the two butchers’ shops in the town was forced by the action of the Rationing Controller to close its doors, was solved as a result of further official action which enabled the shop to be reopened yesterday. From the ’time of the closing of the shop on Monday Port Chalmers waterside workers showed a keen interest in the position, and it is reported that they ultimately made a demand for action which would enable them to obtain a supply of meat. Their attitude is said to have been that they were not concerned with the position .of the butcher or with the justice of the action of the Rationing Controller’s department in denying him supplies. They felt, however, that the nature and spread of their work demanded that they should be able to obtain meat in order to maintain efficiency. It was considered unfair that the public should suffer through the closing of the shop. Reason for Closing In a statement in response to telephone inquiries by the Daily Times last night, the Minister of Industries. Mr Nordmeyer, said that the facts, as reported to him, were that the Rationing Controller declined to supply any more meat to one of the Port Chalmers butchers because of alleged breaches of the rationing regulations “ Consideration was given,” the Minister added, “to the opening of a depot for the sale of meat, for someone else to take over the shop of the butcher in question on a temporary basis, or for the supply of additional meat to the other local butcher. “These courses were not practicable, and some other action had to be taken immediately to ensure supplies of meat to the local people. “In these circumstances the Rationing Controller directed that a supply of meat be allocated to the butcher who had been closed. This was done to enable him to supply his customers, but the allegations of breaches of the rationing regulations have been placed in the hands of the Crown Law Office for the necessary action.” No Strike Threat Referring to reports that the waterside workers had indicated their intentions of striking if meat were not supplied, the Minister stated that he had heard of no such threat. The decision to*sitpply meat was not made as a result of pressure from the Waterside Workers’ Union.