MEAT SUPPLIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 October 1942, Page 2

MEAT SUPPLIES

POSITION OF BOROUGH ABATTOIR CAUSING COUNCIL INCREASING CONCERN. COMPETITION FROM FREEZING WORKS. “The committee views with concern the increasing debit balance in the abattoir account, due to the fact that much of the meat sold within the abattoir district comes from Borthwicks,” stated Councillor A. D. Low, chairman of the Abattoir and Gas Committee, at last night’s meeting of the Masterton Borough Council. He added that it was a factor which imposed an unfair burden both upon the abattoir and Hie Masterton master butchers.

The Town Clerk, Mr G. T. O’Hara Smith, was instructed to make inquiries regarding the position of abattoirs in other places in which there was a meat export slaughterhouse operating in the retail trade within the abattoir district. Councillor Low said that the abattoir account was causing the council considerable concern just now. The council was fortunate in having Councillor Grey on the committee, which was endeavouring to see what could be done to improve the receipts. The abattoir figures showed that the receipts were slipping, but not particularly badly.

Councillor C. E. Gray said the position was not quite so bad as it appeared on paper. He suggested that the council might have to consider making a charge on the ratepayers to help towards the upkeep of the abattoirs.

Councillor Low: “Rather than increase the killing fees.” Councillor Grey: “The fees are higher here than anywhere else.” The Mayor, Mr T. Jordon: “That is not so. Don’t give us a false reputation.”

In reply to Councillor Grey, Mr Jordan agreed that some places did have lower fees. •

Councillor G. W. Morice asked if the hanging fees paid by Borthwick’s made up to any great extent for the loss on killing fees. Councillor Grey replied that hanging fees were small, being roughly Is per head on cattle and 3d per head oh sheep. Mt Jordon stressed the point that hanging fees were only to keep the abattoirs going. It was really a charge over and above the cost of killing, etc. Mr Jordan said that the present position was not satisfactory. The present Act, which had been drafted to meet such cases, was in the nature of a trial. It was a difficult problem.

Councillor W. Kemp: “What if Borthwick’s open a shop here?”

Mr Jordan: “I understand from Councillor Grey that the butchers would like that to happen.” Councillor Grey: “It would be fair competition.” ■

Mr O’Hara Smith submitted figures which showed that the hanging fees at the abattoirs consisted of one-tenth of the abattoir receipts. Mr Jordan said all were in sympathy with the master butchers here, as they had to bear any loss on the abattoirs and at the same time had to meet strong competitors. Councillor Kemp: “Borthwick’s is like a retail shop on Fridays and Saturdays.” After further discussion the subject lapsed.