FOOD COMMISSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1925, Page 3

FOOD COMMISSION.

[Reuters Tki.korams.] LONDON, January 7. Before the Royal Commission on Food Sir Gordon Campbell gave evidence that in order to supersede the River I’lato as a producer of beef for Britain, the number of cattle, in Australia must he increased to about fifty or sixty million, which cannot he done in five nor fifteen years.

Moreover, he said, frozen heel was becoming more, unpopular in Britain. It would take many years to improve the quality of Australian beef up to the general level of the Argentine beef exports.

Fir Phillip Proctor is the former Director of Mont Supplies. In further evidence ;it the food Prices Commission he said that it was absurd to suggest that the Domi’d.uis could supply all Britain's 'needs in imported meat. For many years, Britain would need large supplies of frozen meat, in addition to all that the Dominions could supply. Ho said that he did not believe in Government purchase or iu artificial control of prices. It would not do anything to cheapen moat. The only practical remedies were for the poorer classes to divert their purchases to cheaper joints, and thus prevent the butchers' heavy waste or alternately, there should he campaign aiming at a national reduction in meat consumption til! the demand fell below the supply.

FGRTII Kit EVIDENCE. fDeceived this day ft 10.2 A a.m.) LONDON, .Jan. 8. At the Royal Commission on food prices, .Sir Auckland Goddes announced that Sir Gordon Campbell, whom Geddes relinked yesterday for not giving more information in regard to the meat trade, telephoned last night a-:k-ing for permission to give more complete evidence, hut this morning ho was confined to his bed with a chill. R. S. Forsyth (London manager of the New ZeaTand .Meat Producers’ Hoard) gave evidence that indications pointed to the continued steady shipment of New Zealand lamb to London, hut he. did not anticipate an increase in mutton and beef, unless the price for the latter to the producer improved. The Board had been aide to obviate a great glut of supplies, which was a feature of pre-war days, with the consequent great variations in prices, which did not benefit the producer or consumer. Tim whole idea ol rcgola Hop of shipment by Dm I’mird was to keep a steady How of meat to the British market, over the whole twelve months, and not to hold hack supplies in order to create high prices, with subsequent slumps. I lie regulation ol shipment had gone a long way to eliminate speculative dealings,’ so detrimental to t 1 ’ New Zealand meat trade in the past. He hoped the commission would investigate the question of cold storage in Britain. Cold stores rates in Britain were excessive compared with those in New Zealand and on the continent, although many stores vcie practically empty. Replying to Sir Auckland Goddes,, M.r Forsyth said the producer was satisfied with the present price for lamb and mutton, hut not for heel. As tains the difference between the price paid ill New Zealand and the wholesale price in Britain was concerned, he did not think there was any cause for complaint by the producers, hut he was unable to speak authorativelv m regard to the retail side. Ifassnn (representative of the Australian .Meat Council) said the producers in Australia had not been able to get anything out of their meat, Imt the Council hoped by co-ordination ol marketing methods and needs to place

them on a paying basis. Sir John MacLeod asked, “ Mould that make it dearer on this side?” Ilussan replied, “ No.” Cloncrally speaking, increased competition reduced the price to the consumer, but he ivas afraid that did not hold good in the meat trade. Sir Auckland Gcdiles asked if there nas a possibility of Australia producing chilled beef for the British market? [iassan replied that efforts hitherto had been unsuccessful, excepting b\ the use of preservatives, which were

barred. Nassau agreed that the reduced expo-' . of mutton was due to pastoralists making enormous profits out of 'wool. B HITISII Ff>ol > CON KE '■ EXC 'E. DOMINIONS’ FKAILS. fßeceived this day at 9.25 i.m.) LONDON, Jan. 8The “T)ailv Express” states reoiesentatives of Dominion exporimg eo m+ries fear the widened scope of Ik Food Prices Commission is a trenching ground which should he reserved fm the Imperial Economic Committee. U was originally thought the Commission’s investigation would be puitl> domestic, but it was now going to iocb the bottom of the meat trade. 'l'lie view is held that the sooner the Economic Committee is functioning m there matters the better, because already this need has been revealed at the present inquiry for rehmting the harmful, and even uniair. evidence carding Australia.