LAMB PRICES IN CANTERBURY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29510, 11 May 1961, Page 8

LAMB PRICES IN CANTERBURY

Farmers Call For

Inquiry

Indications were that fat lambs were being sold about 2s a head too cheaply m Canterbury, said Sir Walter Mulholland at the annual conference of the meat and wool section of North Canterbury Federated Farmers yesterday. The following remit from the Omihi branch was moved by Mr T. G. Maxwell, seconded by Mr F. J. Bain, and carried: “That we should endeavour to see that Canterbury fat lamb producers receive a price equal to the highest schedule price paid in other districts and that the Meat Board be asked to conduct a full inquiry into the matter and publish the results of :ts findings.” In Canterbury the position was entirely unsatisfactory, said Sir Walter Mulholland. He thought it was true there was an arrangement that operators stay out of the Canterbury fat lamb market. To all intents and purposes it was admitted before the Meat Commission. He had said before the commission that more than 2s a head was being paid in relation to an agreement that certain companies did not compete for lambs in Canterbury. That Indicated that lambs wer? being sold about 2s a head too cheaply, said Sir Walter Mulholland.

He hoped they would press on with the remit. There was some ground for the remark made by a member that the lower price for lamb in Canterbury had some basis in restricted competition. Sir Walter Mulholland said.