MEAT RATIONING

Chronicle (Levin), 12 March 1946, Page 7

MEAT RATIONING

USEFULNESS DEBATABLE AUCKLAND, Mareh 11. "We have now luid meat rationing f|> r 18 months and 1 will be very interested to hear whether you tliinK anylJiing is being saved hy the presen rationing schenie and whether the ex ponsu to the taxpayer in administering lationing is warranted," said the presi dent of the New Zealand Mastei Butciiers' Association, Mr. W. L. lluglies, in his address to delegales al Ihe opening of the association 's annual conference. Mr. Ilughes said he was sure all uiaster butchers were behind anv gesture to provide ex'tra food toi couiitries which had been ravaged t>\ the war, but in his opinion the useful ness of rationing as at present, with (he attendant enormous amount of cterical work, was debateable. The desirability of rationing wuuld be dis eussed later during the conference. Alr. Ilughes also referred to the rocent lifting of Ihe restrictious on Ihe sale of pork. Uufortuiiately, he said, now that tiie sale of this meat was once again perniitteil, the wholesale price made it almost impossible for the trade to liandle and seli it at the Tribunal prices. Taxation and price control had been a heavy btirden on Ihe trade during the war, and it was now hoped that. the Go\"enuneut would ease taxation aua removc sonie of the reslrietive controls and encouiage private enterprise. 1 " 1 T