PRICES OF MEAT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20073, 20 October 1939, Page 4

PRICES OF MEAT

DECISION DEFERRED DOMINION CONSUMPTION EXPORT RATE BASIS TRIBUNAL DEFENDED (Pur Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The action of the Price Investigation Tribunal in sanctioning higher meat prices in the Auckland district was defended yesterday by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan.

The Minister also said it was considered desirable to defer the final consideration of the local position until the export price had been determined. The prices of meat for consumption in New Zealand would be based on the price arranged between New Zealand and the United Kingdom Governments.

Mr. Sullivan referred to tile recent statements concerning meat prices. He mentioned, in particular, a statement originating from Christchurch, to the effect that the Price Investigation Tribunal’s action in sanctioning higher meat, prices in the Auckland district only was criticised at a special meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Master Butchers’ Association.

The Minister said the tribunal had approved of a small increase at Auckland because of special circumstances which had operated there and which did not apply in other centres. There was no suggestion of preferential treatment having been granted. The position of the retail butchery trade in all the main centres had been most carefully considered by the tribunal, but a decision had been deferred pending' the conclusion of negotiations on the question of the supply of meat between the New Zealand Government and the United Kingdom Government.

Mr. Sullivan added that it was expected the negotiations would be completed at a very early date.