FOOD PROFITEERING

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1924, Page 2

FOOD PROFITEERING

IS Ill'll .MEAT POOL TO BLAME? [itv TKLKOKArn— I*I:II muss ASSOCIATION.] LONDON. Nov. IS. The “Daily Mai!" -ays: There iurgonl need for a busine-s-like enquiry into tin* oust of living, which is now eighty per cent, above that of IPII. compared with -eventv-tliree per cent, ill 11)23. The price of meat, it says, again ruse t - New Zealand lamb is being sold wholesale at S- Id to Ss brill per quarter, ami mutton at .'1- Id to os (id. which is one hundred ami fifty per cent, above pre-war rales. Australian null tun is one I and thirtytwo per cent, above 1911 prices, and English beef is from fifty to eighty per cent, above. Tbe wholesaler- and retailers deny they are limbing excessive profits. They assort that all profits go to the producers and shippers.

The “Daily Mail" demands an explanation of the mysteriously wide , margin between the producers’ and cunstimcr-’ prices, and why the retail price has advanced mure than the wholesale price. Mr Forsyth, the British ronri'sentative of the New. Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, denies there is regulating of prices, alleged on Nov. 13th. This would he impossible, lie sa.vs. hoeattse the Meat Board is not engaged in trading. Iml it merely decides mi the quantities leaving New Zealand, so as tn ensure constant supplies. As a proof that the meat is not held back in stock in New Zealand, lie say- that on October 31st.. there were only 1 111 carcases of lamb, and .12.172 carcases of mutton. Tbe traders’ report was mere quibbling. Tbe Meat Board's report emiiliasise- that tin* regulating of supplies is an im|sirtant factor in -tahili ing the prices. The “Daily Mail” add-; "I'ule-s drastic action i- taken, tin* poor boii-e----wives will endure a bard winter. The loaf threatens to exceed ten-ponce. ’’ IN ENI’I tvfrfov. LONDON Nov. 17. Arising out of Mr Baldwin's decision to investigate tin* high < 0-1 of living. some of the paper- are calling attention to t Its* dearness of New Zealand and Australian meat. Mi* F tb. tb • Man ' New Zealand Meat Producers’ Boat'd, in a letter to tin* “Mnrtiin*' " " asserts that there is no undue di-eronunoy between the prices on the lioof in New Zealand and the tatrease at mnithliekl.

Tb* states that, in the case of mutton, tin* average price is Oj’d ]t-*r pound on the hoof and 71 d per lb at Smitbfield, while tie* res|H*etive figures for lamb are 10 *s I on tlu* hoof, and lid at Smithfield. The retailers, he says. add charges of from 29 to 2-1 per cent., which are n it abnormally excessive.