THE MEAT TRADE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 227, 20 June 1921, Page 6

THE MEAT TRADE

SIR THOMAS ROBINSON’S VISIT

THE SURPLUS STOCKS

Sir Thomas Robinson, who was in Wellington last week on a short visit, has left for Australia again. He stated before his departure, that he had been in conference with representatives t'f the Imperial Supplies Department and of tho freezing companies regarding a number of matters arising from the Inij perial contracts'. He had been entrusted with tho adjustment of these outstanding matters on behalf of the Imperial authorities. "Everything is now settled except a few details—mere odds and ends," he added. "I have met the representatives of the New Zealand freezing works, and discussed various matters with them, and, speaking by and large, settlements have been made which I may say are mutually satisfactory to both the British Government and tho companies. ■Referring to the meat trade, Sir Thomas said that the London market was still suffering from the effects of large accumulations of unsold meat, including much telescoped or cut carcass mutton. ‘Until that meat is disposed of, ho added, “it is impossible to look for any improvement in the market price of frozen meat. It was the property o the Ministry for Food; and, apparently, efforts were being made to get it into consumption by cutting the price. I am speaking now from a cablegram 1 saw somewhere stating that prices .far Government frozen meat had been reduced. If that be so, it will stimulate consumption and reduce the present heavy holdings, and so clear , a way in the market for ‘free’ meat. So much, of course, is obvious. But I hope 1 think there are grounds for that hope—that tho market will improve. The British Government is evidently determined to meet the market in order to get the stale meat into consumption. That done, we may hope for better times. That improvement should comp- within a measureable distance of time.