MEAT PRICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1917, Page 8

MEAT PRICES.

BOARD OF TRADE ENQUIRY. The Board, which sat in New Plymouth for the last two days, finished its enquiry into local retail prices of meat yesterday. Discussing the matter with a News reporter yesterday, the chairman of the. Hoard (Mr. McDonald) said the Hoard, after comparing prices charged in other centre;-, visited, fomul that in the Hoard's opinion the prices have in New Plymouth not been unduly high, after allowances had been made for the high prices ruling for live stock. 'Die Board had entered into an arrangement with the local butchers to give, them the option of obtaining supplies from the Imperial Store, and the butcher.? had agreed with the Board not to raise the prices without prior consultation with the Board. Various considerations decided the Board not to interfere with existing conditions at present, hut the whole arrangement would be subject to review at the opening of the next export season. Ho states that the Board desired to point out, in fairness to the butchers, that the butchers have not been responsible for the high prices, which were based on prices realised for live stock in the sale yards, where, owing to keen competition, prices have risen higher than the export equivalent, and butchers in order to obtain supplies have been compelled to ehaso the market It was to be hoped, however, that the option given the butchers of arranging supplies of frozen mutton from the Imperial store would steady the price of fresh meat in the open market and to that extent benefit the consuming public. The price list agreed upon before the Board and the butchers will operate as from Monday next.