The Daily News FRIDAY, MARCH 2. THE PRICE OF MEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8057, 2 March 1906, Page 2

The Daily News FRIDAY, MARCH 2. THE PRICE OF MEAT.

To housewives ami bread winners probably the most welcome intelligence in Thursday morning's was that announcing a reduction in the price of moat. In common with most oilier Xew : Zealand towns of fairly large proportions, the cry of " ileal' meal " has of laie formed the subject nf considerable public agitation, but, in tliis connection, we have been in formed thai, dear as if is, the retail price of beef is 110 higher here but in some instances lower—than in any other town along the West Const possessing abattoirs. The butchers assert, and evidently not withoul some show of reason, that their expenses have been very largely increased iy the establishment of abattoirs, and the public have to bear the burden of the increased charges. This much is certain, at any rate, that since the abattoirs have been in commission, the price of butchers' meal has been considerably increased The present reduction does nol apply lo mutton, as it is claimed that the high price ruling for sheep at present leaves little or uo margin for prolit. * * * *

It was recently pointed out by an Auckland contemporary that slice]) iu that province were bringing a higher price in the paddock than New Zealand mutton was being retailed in London for. The fact is that the sheep llocks of I lie colony, while not being exactly depleted for freezing, have yet been so reduced as to leave iusulllcienl surplus lo readily meet the demand for local consumption. Wherein the wis. ilom of this procedure lies, we leave to be explained by the student of com" inercial cconiony. There is, however, one aspect of the dear meal question to which not enough consideration is given; we refer to the practice of hawking meat around from door to door for sale. To our nay of thinking this insanitary, expensive and out-of-date system has more to do with the high price ruling for meat Hun anything else. The Health Department would do something to justify its existence were it to organise a vigorous campaign against this objectionable, practice. The meal is hawked around iu all kinds of weather, and its condition during some of New Plymouth's typical dusty days may Inbetter imagined than described. Almost every customer handles and examines the contents of the van before deciding mi the joint or piece that is wanted. How can such a system be healthy!-'

Aimut altogether, however, from the sanitary aspect, if is obvious thai this method of retailing must be an expensive one. A great deal of the meat is cut to waste, and much is rendered unlit for sale and consumption. It is only reasonable to assume that the butcher is not iinlmsiness-like 'enough to charge surh losses to his profit and loss account. The public has to pay, and rightly, for encouraging and patronising a system that would not be tolerated in any up-to-date town. Were all meat cut up to order in the shops, and delivered regularlv and expeditiously, there would lie less expense involved on (he butcher. Some little lime ago when an agitation was being made in Wellington in this same direelion, the manager of a leading butchery business testified thai his expenses would be reduced nearly 20 per cent, by the abolition of the hawking system. If the local tradesmen would decide amongst Ihcmselvcs to stop hawking their meal, Hid insist on selling only over the counter or on order, we are convinced the public would quickly recognise the superiority of the innovation. We should be greatly surprised if a substantial reduction in price* all round did not immediately follow the establishment of the new order of things.

UNCERTIFICATED TEACHERS. Uncishtikicated teachers in the Tarauaki Education District are In be notilii'il by lh • Bjanl to go up lor ccrtilicate examinations in 11107, and tlial the B>ar.l will not recommend the reu.ew.il of licenses as a general prim-iplo. Before this course of action was decided upon, there was an interesting discussion at Wednesday's meeting of the Board. 11 was pointed out that while some of the licensed teachers display a desire to improve themselves, prepare for examinations, and attend the Saturdaj' classes for teachers, others take advantage of the scarcity "of teachers and rest on their ours, taking no advantage of the opportunity of gaming eertilicates, or of making themselves ellicient in the new work. They are, consequently, not fully equipped for leaching new subjects, or, at any rate, are not on a level with those who are endeavouring to keep up with the march of educational methods. Their scholars, of course, suffer. Many of the ecrtilieated teachers in the service of the Hoard are constantly " grinding " for examinations, besides entering into every scheme for improving themselves as teachers, and, within the past few days, we have seen how very successful llicy are, even ill the higher branches, inch as psychology, generally included only in university courses. There are miecrtilieated teachers who are content to remain as at present, without ambition to take any higher honours. Licensed, they receive the same pay as the certificated teacher, but unlicensed teachers sulVer a deduction of ten per cent, from their salaries. The Hoard does not insisi that these teachers shall pass the examinations, or leave the service, but simply that they shall show that they are willing to undertake the same studies as are imposed uii the ambitious or studious teachers. Jt is pleasing to note that this decision is n.it mean! to interfere with those licensed teachers who have grown old lin the Board's service, but only to apply to the younger ones who may reasonably be expected to endeavour io obtain greater proficiency, instead of contenting themselves with a good billet at the ecrtilieated teachers' pay. The resolution means that the unaspirmg teachers will have their salaries reduced by ten per cent., and it seems Lilly right and pn.per lli-il I lie anibiL.iis should lunc the advantage.