MEAT INDUSTRY RESCUED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 September 1943, Page 5

MEAT INDUSTRY RESCUED

BY GOVERNMENT ACTION. According to Mr James Begg, De-puty-chairman of the New Zealand Meat Board, the Government’s action at the beginning of the war had averted a crisis for the meat industry. “Full credit had to be given the Government of New Zealand for coming to the rescue of the meat industry at the beginning of the war,” said Mr Begg. “Frozen ewes accumulated and no market existed. Concerned at the reduction of shipping space, the Board gave the Government bad advice in advocating the boiling down of carcases. A tremendous risk was taken by the Government, which incurred a liability of £7,000,000 at one time in buying the ewes instead of agreeing to their’ being boiled down. Eventually, they were marketed at a reasonable price. Freezing works were full, but never choked. Additional storage space has been built in the country and paid for by the Government from the Meat Pool, and I consider it adequate for any future eventuality.” Throughout its administration, the Labour Government has worked unceasingly for farmers’ interests. The result is today that the farmers’ income totals £81,300,000 in place of £46,100,000 in 1935. Guaranteed price, subsidies and stabilisation have ended forever the risks and uncertainties of the man on the land. Farmers who wish to hold on to prosperity will vote Labour again.—Advt.