MEAT PRICES.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1924, Page 2

MEAT PRICES.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION

ROYAL CO.MM IS.BI ON SET IT. LONDON. Nov. 1!)

The “Daily Telegraph” says: “The most important subject considered at tn-dav’s Cabinet meeting was the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the* costs of foodstuffs. Although it is often suggested that a Royal Commission is only the means of securing delay, this will not happen on the present occasion, lb? term of reference will provide for a comprehensive enquiry into the costs ol production, transport charges, and middlemen's profits. The Commission will be instructed to report upon bread and meat. The Commission will he sure to include men who have had r. similar experience in eonneeaion with tic.* l*ood .Ministry. Though it is most unlikely that any scheme similar to the wartime food control will be re-instituted, yet something may be done to reduce the costs of distribution. It is expected the names of the Commissioners will be announced in a few days.

KEELING BACK SCRIM,!ES. LONDON. Nov. 20

The “Daily Telegraph” comments editorially that the ordinary consumer will he tempted to regard a quick advance in the price of meat during the past few days as a clear ease of profiteering. Vet the increase is directly attributable to there being a deficiency ill sup-pi v, which last week amounted to 781 tons in the ease of the and lamb imported from Australia and New Zealand, and to 138 tons of beef from Sou lit America, as conipaied with the corresponding week of 1923; while the only ollset to this was an increase of nineteen lons in home raised meat. The “.Morning Rost” says: “One result of the internationalisation ol commerce is that the competition of countries outside the Empire, by its mere weight and mass, presses heavily upon the Dominions restricting their access to the British market, and. in practice, fixing prices.

IMPORTERS’ VIEWS. LONDON, Nov. 2!). The “Dailv Chronicle” interviewed Mr Samuel llestqy. of the Fnion Odd Storage Company, who expressed the opinion that the increased prices of meat in Britain are due to an increased demand for frozen meat on the Continent. Other Smithlield importers emphasise that there is a growing use of meat m the Near East and the Ear East. I hey si,id they thought that if India lorsnolc riee in favour of meat, prices would soon he at a height hard to contemplate.

VFSTEY’S VERSION" OE CAIkSI LONDON. Nov. 2t;.

Sir Edmond Vestcy. in a statement, emphasised that there hud Leon an advance in the cost ul cattle in Argentina of over one hundred per cent, durii,«r tl«o past six months, ami points out that wlmivas Kugluiul iormorly was the only buyer of Irozoii and chilled meat, the war lias educated tier mmiv. France, Belgium. Holland and Italy, who are now talcing immense quantities, creating new conditions, which are beyond the power of this, or j ll ,v other Government to alter. ile asserts that no material change will he possible until the price paid for the cattle in the world s niarlcets makes it attractive business for the cattle gl'nwejs to increase their herds.” The talk about, unreasonable profits in the retail imported meal business is absurd, he said.

Asked for the reason for the material advance in the retail price on the wholesale cost. Mr \ csley told the paper’s representative to go and buy a carcase at Smithlield, cut it up. and dispose of it. and he would discover for .himself the prices at which he could all'ord to sell.

Ln his statement to the “Alorning post.” regarding that paper’s article hi yesterday’s issue, Air Ycstey says: “Not only we, but every other retailer of imported meat will welcome the Government inquiry. The Union told Storage Company is doing its best to keep down the cost of meat, and is alw;iv> s.-oiiring the lace ui the globe m ■ odor to obtain meat at a va-onabie in o v." NEW STATE SCHEME. LONDON. Nov. 21). The “Morning Bust” understands that the Government has before it a scheme providing for an estimate of the home meat consumption for six months ahead. The amount of home grown nieaL available would he discovered, and the Dominions would he permitted to supply the delicicncy, under a license. the balance it any Lo tie provided from foreign sources, also under a license. This scheme would permit the (tovernnieiit to extend reciprocal treatment to the Dominions without in any wav involving I lie position ol the tarill on tlm same commodity imported Iroiu foreign sources. It would ensure the dniuiiiion meat growers a lair price, and prompt returns, ami would lie an important sten towards making the Empire independent. This scheme was submitted to Air J. 11. Thomas. hut no decision had been arrived at regarding it. when the Labourites left office. LONDON. Nov. *_»!), The “Daily Chronicle” states: “As the result of a dispute at Nelson s (old Storage Works, the employees of many London cold storage companies came out on strike at midnight. A member of the Transport 1 niou stateil that the strike is due to the ticket sewanl of the Cnion not being allowed to sign on when the night shift started.