THE MEAT POSITION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 43, 14 November 1919, Page 7

THE MEAT POSITION

SHORTAGE IN OLD COUNTRY

SHIPPING AND FREE MARKETS

An interesting sidelight on the meat position in the Old Country ia contained in a letter just received by a resident, of Taranaki from a brother living in England. "You needn't worry your mind about meat," tho Ectter states. "There is ft great scarcity here, and there will eontinuq to be, our herds are 60 depleted. It will tako years to get them up again. Then there is all the Continental demand. Thero will bo a bigger call for frozen meat than ever there was before when shipping gets more normal and the Government tako off all restrictions. That nutting you sent was all wrong about the glut of meat in England, and people not wantin" even the small increase in tho ration. Butchers are being fined every day for selling more meat than they should do. It is all a question of shipping and free markets." Accompanying the letter was' the following extract from tho "Daily News" of September 10:—" TVe are going to suffer this winter a meat shortage, which will be as bad as anything experienced during the war. In view of the probable lack of employment, its effect on tho masses may bo even moro serious. It may easily involve a return to legally-enforced meatless days.' This is the considered (.pinion of ono of tho most experienced meat traders in the country, who was interviewed yesterday by a representative of tho 'Daily News.' Replying to a suggestion that this estimate appeared to bo unnecessarily pessimistic, he said: 'It is not my opinion only; it is that of almost every man in tho trade whoso dealings enable him to take a wide view. The figures of my own firm indicate a world shortage.' Taking England alone, we have not much ovej 50 per cent, of our normal supplies of cattle. I doubt whether there is 40 pur cent, of our usual number of sheep. Pigs are down to thej lowest percentage I have known for 25 years. It is true there aro countries which are fairly well off because local customs and the incidence of distribution tetl in their favour. But the world supply is worse, than ours.' 'What about the supplies of frozon meat? , 'Our reports are that they will be lower than evor before That is why the masses of the people are likely to bo so badly hit. Enemy countries aro now clamouring for their share of these (supplies, and the etata of affairs in thosiiipping world ia such that, whereas wo used to bo the dumpin(?-?round for frozen moat we are now likely to find it diverted to other countries.' 'Do you think tho Government will be. able to meet tJio shortage P , They could only do it by buying heavily. But prices are sure to be inflated, and it ifi not likely that after what has happened they will risk badlyburnt fingers. If, however, they are wise the Government will maintain the control of concentration and distribution. Thig will obviate the scandals of tho case when some big centres are practically destitutes of supplies and less populous areas are almost flooded. Local food authorities should fake this matter up at oncei Th'ose who fail are likely to be badly left.'"

The "Daily News" clipping also contained tho following extract from the "National Pood Journal":—"Last winter, taking , prices ns a whole, the highest point was readied in. November,' after which a foil was experienced! tho same cannot bo predicted R9 to noxt winter. On tho contrary, if general past experience bo taken as a guide, the Now Tear may witness some rise, at any rato in certain, prices."