MASS MEETING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 June 1939, Page 6

MASS MEETING

GATHERING OF WAIRARAPA SHEEPOWNERS CO-OPERATIVE MEAT POOL AND GUARANTEED PRICES. RESOLUTIONS TO BE SUBMITTED. A mass meeting of sheepowners is being held in the Opera House, Masterton, this afternoon to consider the formation of a co-operative meatpool and to discuss the invitation of the Prime Minister to accept a guaranteed price for meat and wool, ‘ Mr Hugh Morrison, Wairarapa Provincial President of the Farmers’ Union, is in the chair. There is an attendance of about one hundred Wairarapa farmers. Mr A. McDonald, president of the Wairarapa Sheepowners’ Federation, outlined the purpose of the meeting. The following resolutions are to be submitted to the meeting: “That this meeting endorses the proposal to levy the necessary fraction of a penny per lb to form a cooperative meat pool.” “That in view of the invitation from the Prime Minister to accept a guaranteed price for meat and wool, the following points be elucidated by him: “(1) The pamphlet ‘Guaranteed Prices, Why and How’ sets out the ten years’ average as, lamb 8.675 d; wether mutton 5.9 d; medium crossbred wool 12.275 d. Will these prices be taken as a basis for guaranteed prices? “(2) Do we in acceding to guaranteed prices lose hereafter the right to collective bargaining? “(3) What will be the position of wool-selling firms under a commandeer system? “(4) What will be the position of meat exporting companies?”