CHEAP MEAT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 25, 24 October 1919, Page 6

CHEAP MEAT

WITHDRAWALS FROM THE STORES A SUGGESTION TO THE GOVERNMENT Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) asked a question in the House of Representatives yesterday regarding the withdrawal of meat from Imperial slocks in New Zealand. He said that a Christchurch gentleman, in consequence of the difficulty about getting meat at reasonable prices, had written to the Director of the Live Stock Division applying for a permit to obtain one or two carcasses of mutton or lamb per week for private use. Uig ioca was that soveral families should share it. The official reply had been to the effect that.permits wero issued only to butchers engaged in the retailing of meat in the ordinary way. Mr. Isitt asked if the Prime Minister would live instructions that unless the butchers gave facilities for the purchase of the meat, private consumers would be allowed to obtain it from tho stores. Mr. Massev said he would be glad to eonsidei the suggestion. He did not think Iho present scheme • provided for the issue of permits to private consumers. Anv retail butcher could obtain meat from tho stores at the export price, and about 207 salesmen were doing this in different parls of New/ Zealand. Mr. Wilford: How many carcasses a're in tho stores? . Mr. Massey: About ,4,700,000 freight carcasses. ' Mr. Wilford: Cannot the Imperial Government release them? Mr. Musscy: Certainly. It is being done every day. These 207 meat salesmen are getting their supplies from the Imperial Government's stocks. . But the point raised by the member for Christchurch North is n new one, that private consumers should be allowed to draw meat direct from the stores. Mr. Tsitt; I don't suggest that it 6boulo: bn done if the butchers give reasonable facilities for the purchase of this meat. Mr. Mnssey; There is no difficulty about anv butcher getting his supplies from the freezing stores.