MEAT COMMANDEER.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1918, Page 6

MEAT COMMANDEER.

TARANAKI DELEGATE'S SUGGESTION.

A delegation of meat producers, representing half the provinces of New Zealand, interviewed the Hon. D. a.. Guthrie, Minister for.Lands and Minister in charge of the Internal Supplies Department, in Wellington on Friday last. 'J'aranaki was represented by Mr. 0. Hawken, of Hawera, and the Hon. W, D. S. MaclJonald, Minister for Agriculture, was also present. The ucegaies finally expressed their willingness to accept the existing rates for commandeered meat for the same extended period as that lixed for wool—namely, for 12 months from June 30 following tho cessation of hostilities. The Taranaki delegate, as a result of the experience gained in this province in dealing with dairy produce, ( vas unwilling to make a straight-out sale, and suggested that 50 per cent, of any profits that the Imperial Government might make should be returned to producers. The opinion was expressed that producers would have no objection to the Imperial Government controlling the price of New Zealand meat, provided other imported meats were subjected to the same conditions. The Minister agreed to tne suggestion made by the Taranaki delegate. All the representatives present were of opinion that meat wotiiu be a great price at Home after the war for a certain period, but appeared to be very pessimistic, in regard to shipping.- They were unwilling, therefore, to jeopardise an offer at the old price by tacking on a suggestion that 50 per tent, of the profits should be returned to. the producers. Some criticism was made 6T""the fact that, although the meat business in New Zealand was worth £8.000,000 a year, a number of farmers did not consider it worth while to send a sixpenny telegram, in response to an invitation to attend the conference with tne Minister in Wellington, in reference to the proposed commandeer of their products for a further period. II is interesting, in this connection, to note the prices received by the farmer and those paid by the Imperial Government. The first price in each ease is that received by the farmer, and the second the amount, f.0.b., paid by the British Government*:— Wethers, first quality, 7211) and under, 4 7-Sd—s 3-8 d; wethers, first quality, over 721b and up to 851b, 4 5-8(1—5 'l-Sd; wethers, first quality, over Roll) and up to 081b (subject to special approval by the inspector), 4 3-Srl —4 7-Sd; wethers, rcuond quality, 4 5-Bd—s l-8d; ewes, first quality, 721b and under, 4 3-Sd-—4 7-8 d; ewes, first quality, over 721;> and up to 8511). 4 1 -St!—4 5-8 d; ewes, second quality, 3 7-8d — I 5-8 d; lamb, specially prime and Canterbury quality, 421b and under, fid—-O'/nd; lamb, first quality, 421b and under. 5 7-Sd—o 3-Sd; lamb, first quality, over 421b, 5 5-Bd—o l-8d; lamb, second quality. 5 5-Sd—o l-Sd; beef, prime ox. 4Jd —sd: beef, second and heifer, 4'/,< I—Hid;1 —Hid; beef, boning, in quarters, Iljd—-4y,d; beef, cow. orime, 4yid—--43d; beef, cow, second, 3%d—4%d; beef, boneless, 4}d—s%d; mutton, legs, 5 7-Sd—o 3-Sd; mutton, shoulders; 4 7-8 d —5 3-Sd; mutton, loins, 4 7-Sd—s 3-Sd,— Star.