MEAT PRICES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16151, 4 March 1918, Page 7

MEAT PRICES.

ARGENTINE AND NEW ZEALAND

EFFECT OF TRUST CONTROL

The statement has been made recently that the prices of beef and mutton in Argentina are higher than in this country. Some figures have been prepared for the Prime Minister, showing actual prices obtainable for beef cattle and. fat sheep in the Argentine and in New Zealand as on April Ist, 1917. From these it would appear (says Saturday's "Dominion") that the control of the Argentine markets by the Meat Trust has not been for the benefit of the meat producers.

On March 28th extra prime bullocks were sold at Burnside market, near Dunedin, for £23 2s 6d, and the price of such bullocks in Argentina was £14 10s to £15 15s. Good bullocks ranged from £16 10s" to £18 15s at Burnside, from £13 17s 6d to £21 17s 6d at Westfield, _ near Auckland, and the Argentine prices were from £8 los to £10 10b._ Extra good steers ranged from £15 15s to £17 10s in Argentina, and "good" from £14 to £14 17s 6d. In only one class of mutton did the Argentine compare in price with that paid for New Zealand. For best wethers Argentine growers seem to have received about n pound a head more than New Zealand farmers received for their best wethers, but it should be understood that these sheep are biggor and heavier than those grown in this country. The meat is admittedly inferior in quality, and before the war it commanded a loss price in the London market, hut wetlici; mutton has had increased value because it has been used for Army rations. . For sill other classes of sheep the Argentine prices iwero from 7s to 9s lower, and for lambs the Argentine prices wero from 10s to 12s less than tho New Zealand rates. Under the controlled system at Home, Argentine meat is bringing as much now in the retail market as New Zealand meat. In reference to tho price of cntt-le. the Argentine prices are especially bad by reason of the fact that the Argentine herds, being bred for boef, and very carefully bred. .-re generally better than thoso of this countrv. The best cattle there would bo better than any that would be commonly offered for sale in this country. Argentine beef is of excellent quality, and the beasts are bigger than we see generally here.