MEAT PRICES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2914, 28 October 1916, Page 7

MEAT PRICES

FOR THE PERIOD OF THE

, WAR

CONSIDERABLE INCREASES

NEW SCHEDULE OF RATES

A conference of representatives of producers of meat for export was held yesterday, .having been convened by the Ministor in charge of the Imperial Meat Supplies Branch, to consider an improved schedule of prices offered for Now Zpaland meat by the Imporial Board ; of • Trade, after nego-

tiations conducted by Mr. Massoy in Loudon. The conference was attended by members of tho Board of Agriculture, members of the Executive of the farmers' Union, re-

presentatives of. several A. and P. associations, representatives of the New' Zealand Sheepowners' Federation, a number of representatives of frozen meat'companies, and tho members of tho Board of Trade. Tho Minister (the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald) presided.

The, following memorandum was in .the hands of delegates-to tho conference:—

A cablegram received from the Right Hon. tho Prime Minister gives tho following as the best terms possible submitted to him for tho ensuing season by the Imperial Board of Trado :— (I.) All beef to be purchased f.o.b; at one farthing por lb. over last, season's prices. , (2.) All classes of mutton be seven-eighths of a penny per lb. f.o.b. ovor last season's prices. (3.) Lamb prices to bo as follows :—No. 7 in schedule, sixpenco , and seven-sixteenths )»r lb. f.o.b. ..No. 8 in schedule,' sixpenco and five-sixteenths per lb. f.o.b. Nos. • 9 and 10 in schedule, sixpence and (. one-eighth per?lb. f.0.b.; Alternative Proposal.—lf New Zealand will agree to the arrangement now to be mado holding good for the dura- ' tiou of the war, tho Board of Trade offers to increase the prices as follows for schedule classes 7 and SiLamb (Class 7): Sixponce halfpenny per lb. f.o.b. Lamb (Class 8): Sixpenco thrco- . eighths per lb. f.o.b. ■ All other prices to bo as detailed above. «,,... The Board of Trade insists upon a reduction of storage charges, and suggests that these be reduced by abaut one-half. " Following is a 'schedulo showing the •existing f.o.b. prices, • and the prices now offered:— . ' 2, J y P s 2.8 | S ' a ? I - 1 Description. d. o. a. Wethers,.first quality, 721b. and under 4* SJ-8 t Wethers, first quality, ' ■ over 721b. ; . ■■■■■ *i »S s Wethers, second quality ...: •»■•■•'*t 51 i JJiq&s, first quality, < 721b. and under : i h % ; Ewes, first quality, over 721b. 3J ft ? Ewes,' second quality... 33 lj t Lamb, specially ■ prime i . and Cauterbtiry quality, 421b. alid under 5J G7-16 13-10 Lamb, first... quality, . 421b. and under ...... 5} 65-1G 13-lb Lamb,' first ' quality, --. r • ■ 421b. and ovor •5} S\ | Lamb, 6econd quality..." 55 GJ s Beof, prime ox : —4J 5 -< Beef, second and heifer Q 4$ i Beef, boning in quartors * *i . \ Beef, cow, prime 4} 8 i Beef, cow,- second :1 ' *i i Beef, boneless 5 5J J •Mutton, legs 5J 63-8 | *Mu'tton, shoulders ... 44 53-8 * *Hutton, 10in5....'.; i\ 53-8 \ *N.B.—lt is presumed the term all olasses of mutton" includes pieces, but this is subject to confirmation by cable, The conference decided to accept the alternative proposal, that the should remain in force until the cnd x of the war, so that the price of the best classes of; lamb will be GJd. and 63-Bd. This means that an increase of }d. per. lb. will he paid for beef, and of 7rßd; on, all. classes of mutton 'and lamb. A' proposal was made by the. conference 'that the, rates should continue in force until six months after the termination of the war, and this nroposal the Minister agreed to forward to the Prime Minister in London. General approval' was expressed regarding the prices offering. On the basis of last season's exports they will mean increased payments to the Dominion of about £940,000 per year. ' At the conclusion of the, meeting Sir James Wilson proposed a vote of thanks to the Minister, and on behalf of producers, expressed appreciation of his action in calling them together for the purpose of consulting them regardj ing the new arrangement.

Tlie matter of storage, which is very briefly referred to in the memorandum, was iiot considered by the conference. This is a matter for the freezing companies principally, and they have it under,consideration. It is understood that the Board of Trade havenot suggested new rates, hut have simply insisted upon a reduced total charge in respect of storage. The matter is at present the subject of negotiations. It is yet possible that the shippers of meat may be required to pay a portion of the storage charges.