PRICE OF MEAT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 117, 16 April 1940, Page 8

PRICE OF MEAT

STATE REGULATION. avinterTsupplies. Per Press Association. AVELLINGTON, April 35. The basis of regulation by the Price Investigation Tribunal .of fresh meat prices for tlio winter months was announced this evening by the Alinister of Supply (Hon. D. G. Sullivan), who said this would recognise the right of the producer to receive through the butcher tlio added costs of the production of fat cattle and sheep for late winter and spring sale. The retail prices to ho charged by tlio butcher would, of necessity, he related to the figure the butcher would pay tlio farmer for fat stock. “Early in March I made ail announcement as to the Government’s policy in regard to the winter and spring supplies of beef,” Air Sullivan said. “Following upon that announcement I arranged for the Food Controller to call a conference of representatives of tlio New Zealand Farmers’ Union, New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation, Now Zealand Master Butchers’ Association and officers from the Department of Agriculture, the Price Tribunal, and the Internal Alarketing Division to go into ways of ensuring adequate supplies of both beef and mutton during the winter and spring months, and to arrive at aii approximate schedule of retail prices. This conference has now concluded its deliberations, and I can advise that definite arrangements are being made to cover farmers for their extra costs in the production of winter''supplies and also to assure the general public that retail prices will he under strict control. SALES OF STOCK. “There will be no interference with the normal method of selling cattle and sheep ,at auction or privately, and the prices payable by tlio butcher to the producer will he determined by the normal operation of supply and demand at auction. Jt has always been necessary' for fresh meat prices to rise sharply during the winter months, and while retailers will have ample elasticity for the period July to November they will, not have a free hand in the arrangement of prices, as all changes will be subject to the control of the Price Tribunal. “The basis of regulation by the tribunal will, however, definitely recognise t’'c right of the producer to receive through the butcher the added costs of production of fat cattle and sheep for late winter and spring sale. “In addition to the provision for the regulation of retail prices, and to ensure an adequate supply of beef and mutton during the most difficult part of the year, July to November, the Government will hold certain quantities of export quality meat ready for the local market if required. This plan is o:i the lines of a similar arrangement which operated during the last war and should prevent any acute shortage of supplies.”