THE MEAT GLUT AT HOME

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 201, 20 May 1920, Page 5

THE MEAT GLUT AT HOME

From Our Special Correspondent.' Palmerston North, May 19. Messrs. M.' A. Elliott and Company, of Palniersfcon North, have received by the last English mail the following letter from Messrs. Gilbert Anderson and Co., the well-known London meat agents :--"Wo thank you for sending us the cutting from The Dominion of February S, and we have read same- with much interest. It is pleasing to see that interest is being aroused amongst the people mostly concerned by the serious Btate of affairs, This will assist materially our continued efforts at this end to clear stocks, so that the etoTes will be able to receive the large quantities of meat still to be shinned from tho Dominion. We may say that it is extremely galling to learn of the shipments of new season's lamb (whole carcasses) that are being made to tho United States, and whilst, presumably, the Imperial Government are at liberty to do as they like 60 far as their purchasers are' concerned, it would seem asIf ultimately thov will be making a rod for their own back. In a sense, or course, it will Telieve tho position somewhat, but it would eeem as if everything is playing into tho hands of the Americans, to the ultimate detriment of the Dominion and tin's country. The people (ire getting tired of mutton that is fat and off-colour,-and'the Americans, with their nicely-dressed fresh beef, simply grab the trade. The outlook for the future ■is extremely difficult, and from the point of view of New Zealand, it Is to 1m hoped that sufficient pressure can be bronght to bear to induce the Imperial authorities to extend their contract for another season, but we know that at the moment the Government here refuses to be coerced." In a further letter tho same firm makes the following interesting remarks on the distribution of Government meat: "We are now pleased to state that the efforts of the trade havo led us one Blep nearor to decontrol. Commencing, therefore, on MaTch 22, we arc now receiving direct from tho 'Board of Trade ' releases for meat nominated to us. This Jneans the reopening of pre-war channels and places us in closer touch with our old buyers. The onportunity, therefore, again presents itself of bringing the vnrious brands of New Zealand meat very prominentlv boforo distributors.