MEAT GLUT.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1920, Page 5

MEAT GLUT.

A MOUNTAINOUS SURPLUS. NEW ZEALAND AFFECTED. J By Telegraph —Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. 25, 7.25 p.m. London, Feb. 21. Smithfiel4 dealers estimate that the frozen meat delivered in London weekly now is more than double the average consumption. The surplus has become mountainous, and some will be stored for years. Sir Thomas Mackenzie (High Commissioner for New Zealand) ridicules the fixed official prices, and believes long storage of New Zealand mutton will prejudice the public against it.—United Service. POSITION IN LONDON.

WILL THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT REDUCE PRICE OF MEAT?

Reference was made by the Prime Minister on Tuesday to the speech by the High Commissioner at a London Port Authority luncheon on Friday last, in which Sir Thomas Mackenzie vigorously criticised the action of the British authorities in limiting the sales of New Zealand meat to the British public during the war when ample supplies were available, and overcharging for the purpose of recouping the extravagant prices paid for American meat. The consequent congestion, said Sir Thomas, resulted in the storage in New Zealand which rendered deterioration possible and prejudiced British consumers against frozen meat. "Of course," said Mr. Massey to a Times representative, "what Sir Thomas Mackenzie meant- was that the British Government had kept the price of the meat up, as I stated the other day. 1 have had no word as yet as to whether tiie Imperial authorities are going to lower the price, as suggested from this end, in order to clear the stocks before the end of the commandeer. I have repeatedly cabled Home in regard to the matter, but so far without result."