Wholesale Price Order For Meat

Chronicle (Levin), 21 December 1948, Page 5

Wholesale Price Order For Meat

Press .issr ciation)

(Per

WELLIX GTOJN , Dec. W. The Price Tribunal today issued its decision on application by the Director of Price Control for the introduction of a wholesale meat price order. The application was supported by the Xew Zealand Alaster Butchers ' Eederation, but was opposed by the XewT Zealand Stoek and Station Agents' Federation, the Associated Wholesalers and Pederated Farmers of Xew Zealand, Inc. The retail butchers contenrled that they needed a measure of relief from the ijosition which existed whereby they were held to retail prices defined by price orders while prices to them of the bulk of commodities they sell were uncontrolled. ' ' The Tribunal is satisfied that the butchers' eomplaints now. have real , foundation in fact, and that relief by j controlling wholesale prices for meat is warranted, ' ' says the statement by the Price Tribunal. "The Tribunal has, however, borne in mind the inadvisabilitv of doing anything which would result in a shortage of meat available to the public. It has decided, therefore, to introduce a price order defining ■ the wholesale prices for fresh meat for j a period of nine months in the year and to leave the period of three months, from September to November inelusive, when prices of fresh meat woiild not be controlled. "This course is regarded as experimental and the Pxice Control Division 'during the next year will examine caref'ully all price movements of meat during the uncontrolled period so that if necessary complete control of prices in subsequent years can be imposed. The Tribunal is taking up with the Government the matter of ensuring that during this ujicontrolled or free period tliere would be adequate supplies of frozen meat available at controlled prices." ,, Dasie wholesale prices for fresh meat for the controlled period of the year are as follow: — Beef, 51s 6d per 1001b.; mutton, 7|d !b.; veal, 6-K lb.; pork, 103d lb.; lamb, lOd lb. There are certain seasonal increases for July-August in the Xorth Island and August-DeCember in the South Island. The prices will be effective from Februaiy 1, 1949. There will not be any increase in retail prices of fresh meat except for some slight adjustments in the prices of certain cuts and joints of beef in order to relate them to the basic wholesale price. Retail prices of frozen meats will be Id lb. dearer than prices for fresh meat as at the flush of the season when meat is cheapest.