Government Could Help The Butchers

Chronicle (Levin), 12 August 1949, Page 6

Government Could Help The Butchers

AUCKLAND, August 11. ; "I agree that butchers should put their own house in order, said Mr. J. W. Perry, president of the New Zealapd Master Butchers' Federation, tonight in reply to a statement by the Minister of Stabilisation, Mr. Nordmeyer, in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The' Minister said that in order to prevent fantastic priees being paid for stock at saleyards, the butchers should establish"a sihgle buying organisation as high prices resulted from butchers competing against each other. "The establishment of a single buying organisation is the accepted policy of . the federation and has been introduced in some centres where b.utchers have operated collectively in an endeavour to secure. meat at reasonable prices, said Mr. Perry." "The statement that the butchers alone are responsible for fantastic prices is incorrect. Whether by a group or any other means, the butcher must still compete against larger operators both in the field and at the saleyards. "A clear indication of the unwillingness of the Government to implement fts stabilisation policy, is given in the refusal of the Minister of Lands (Mr. Bkinner), to reiease fat stock from Government held farms," continued Mr. Perry. " Representations made to the Minister of Lands have met w-ith negative results. The federation would like him to express his sincerity in the disposal of stock which comes under the control of , the Lands. and ISurvey Department and so assist to keep meat at reasonable levels. '"The position in the South Island is serious largely because of the inability of the Government to secure supplies for butchers' requirements in the present off season. Had the Government responded to the requesUof the federation and transferred supplies at the opportune time, prices would have been more stabilised. "The butchers of this Dominion are as anxious as the Government to supply rueat at reasonable prices and I would suggest that instead of the Minister of Lands exploiting the free market, he direct his Department to make avail able to' butchers, supplies from Government held farms."