MEAT OUTLOOK.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1919, Page 5

MEAT OUTLOOK.

EUROPE'S REDUCED SUPPLY. NEXT YEAR'S REQUIREMENTS. NOT ENOUGH AVAILABLE, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 15, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 12. Dealing with the meat situation, Mr. p. A. McCurdy (Parliamentary Secretary to the Food Ministry) says that a, scramble for meat imports appears inevitable.. Europe's live stock has been reduced one-third. Britain must import in 1920 more than a million tons, and the Continent at least three million, or as much as she is able to buy. The present world's supply is far below requirements Even Australasian, South American and South African exportable surpluses, aggregating 1,210,000 tons will barely suffice for Britain's needs. The general aspect of the meat situation is full of menace, made more menacing by American trusts, which control a large part of the world's supply. Russia, whose production is immensely reduced, consumed ten million tons of meat before the war, of which over a quarter of a million were imported. The official calculation of Europe's requirements does not include Russia. Inquiries disclose that London meat traders differ whether the removal of official control would be advisable as regards overseas meat. Some fear a shipping scarcity, while others vigorously demand the abolition of control with a view to restoring stability and increasing profits. The trade declares the Government is doling out supplies, and that it has bungled distribution and held up' vast quantities of good Australasian meat until 'it has suffered deterioration, in order to create prices and conditions favorable to English and Scottish growers. He admitted that the removal of control would throw great quantities on the market, and cause a temporary slump, but lie claimed it would not affect the Australasian grower, whose profit was already fixed.—United Service.