MEAT FOR THE ARMY.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2401, 5 March 1915, Page 6

MEAT FOR THE ARMY.

FIRST SHIPMiJT THIS' MONTH. The scheme fir the acquisition of frozen meat by 'the Government for shipment Home to the order of the Imperial authorities lias developed no defects in its few days of working. If any troubles should arise in the future' there is provision in the conditions laid down for the appointment of a Board of Reference by the Prime Minister, to inquire into questions at issue. This which may never be necessary, will, if it should be set up, consist of one representative of the Imperial Government, one representative of the producers, and one representative of the freezing companies. . It happens that nearly all the ships in i\ew Zealand waters at the time of the coming into operation of the scheme . are practically empty, or have just commenced loading.' One steamei lert a day cr two ago from a southern pert, but as _ she was already almost fully loaded, it was not deemed advisable to put any Government meat aboard. The fact that the steamers, of,which there are all too few, are only beginning to load, will prevent a very early dispatch' of the first shipment, but the slap with the first full cargo of meat for the Imperial Government will leave m .about three weeks' time, perhaps earlier, and certainly in this month.

AUSTRALIAN 1 MEAT FOR THE ARMY. ,

m „ Sydney, March 4. . The first shipment of meat for Imperial purposes totals 43,000 carcasses of mutton All the meat goes to tha Imperial . ifiment. (Re< ' " arch 4, 10.30 p.m.) . Sydney, March 4. Mr. Flowc "vj states that negotiations' are proceeding with the ■ Federal Gov-, ernment to secure several idle steamers to convey meat to England. If the Meat Board succeeds in obtaining the loan of ships, possibly they will dispatch 150,000 within the next few days. The board is also inquiring as to whether any" prize ships mil be available. . PRICES'FIXED. (Rec. March 5, 1.5 a.m.) Sydney, March 4. The Government has fixed' the prices of mutton for Imperial uses, ana the Imperial sanction thereto has been received. Tile following prices apply to 143,000 carcasses taken over on Wednesday, and hold good for all purchases in March, after which a- readjustment is possible:—Sheep, first and second qualities, 4Jd.; third quality, 4 lrßd.; ewes, 4 l-Bd.; thirds,, Id.; lamb, s}d.; thirds, 5 l-Bd. The beef prices have not been settled.'