PRICE OF MEAT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1917, Page 4

PRICE OF MEAT.

POSITION IN WELLINGTON

! Wellington, August 20 It is stated that retail butchers in Wellington are contemplating raising the price of meat. A butcher whom ! a “ Post” reporter approached with : a request for information, stated that : ho did not see how the advance could bo avoided in view of the increased wholesale charges, Last week a wholesale advance of approximately |d per lb fur- mutton, and 2/ per 1001 b for beef, was anuouneed, j and now a further shilling was to be put on to beef prices. In addition all small goods had been advanced, in some, cases beyond the present retail prices. “There has been nothing in the retail meat trade for the past three years,” said, the butcher, “and unless these latest increases are passed on, some men yyill have to go out of business. Wp have been carrying on, if not at a loss, for a bare living - less than wages some men would work for.” There is now no Master Butchers' Association in Wellington, so it is probable that an increase, if made, will not be uniform, but just such as each butcher may decide for himself. Meat prices are stated to bo responsible also for an advance in the charge for the popular meat pies from Bcl to Id.