“CUTTING TI-IE LOSS.”

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3487, 15 May 1920, Page 2

“CUTTING TI-IE LOSS.”

A complete reversal of the Imperial policy in regard to the «sale of illl- - meat is revealed by :1. telegram published recently. In spite of expert zidvice and concrete facts, the Food that its duty was to conserve Supplies. Ministry has persistently maintained that e. meat famine was imminent, and New with unparalleled stocks of meat. belonging to the Imperial Government in Britain and abroad, and consump-' tion declining owing to the advent of warmer weather and cheap fish, the Department. has been forced t.o admit its mistake. The wholesale price has been reduced from 9d per lb, the rate at the end of last. February, to 6d per lb, and the Food Miiiisrty is to resume responsibilit.y for the distribution of supplies, transferred a few monthe ago to the Board of 'l‘ra'de. When the Food Ministry took charge ' of meat supplies in January, 1918, the ‘fixed wholesale price of mutton and tlamb was ll—l—d per lb; in September, I 1918, it was 1/3; since March last year it has fallen to (id, and even this price may not be’ low eiidiigh to secure the cleartmee of the huge stocks with which the Department is laden. Of greater importance than the present reduetion in price‘ is the association with the Governnient -authorities of representatives of the meat trade, including the impol'tol's of colonial meat. This connnittee is appareiitly examining the whole situation with a. View to the issue of a report this week. Its decisions will be awaited with the keenest interest. for there is little doubt that ‘expert advice will be strongly in favour oii “cutting the loss” on the exist}ing stocks, in order that a free market may be restored as soon as possible, and the supply of imported meat to i the United Kingdom. again entrusted to ,l the agencies Whose experience and em- . ciency have been thoroughly establish[erl.——N.Z. Herald.