THE MEAT MARKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 January 1921, Page 5

THE MEAT MARKET.

THE REMOVAL OF CONTROL. DEFINITE DATE NOT FIXED. UNLIKELY AFTER JUN£ By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Prime Minister has the following cablegram from the High Commissioner in regard to the control of meat prices:— “With reference to your telegram of December 8, I have communicated it to the Food Controller, and I have also interviewed him on the subject. While it has not been possible to obtain a definite statement as to the date of the removal of price control, I gathered that the Imperial Government is equally anxious to restore a free market. It is not expected that Imperial meat will be liquidated before May, but although no indication has been given that the price control will cease immediately Government stocks have been sold, it appears possible that control - will not extend beyond the end of June; it may be removed even a month earlier. The Food Controller views with the greatest sympathy the position of the New Zealand producer, but points out that, in considering the maintenance of price control in this country, the Government may have to consider all factors of the situation and their effect upon the British consumer.” N.Z. STORES BEING CLEARED. TONNAGE FOR “FREE” MEAT. BUTTER AND CHEESE. An important report as to. the position with regard to 'the shipment of Imperial-owned and “free meat” from New Zealand was submitted to, the Prime Minister at the end of 1 last week. The statement, shows that the shipments ■to be made this month will practically clear the stores of mutton and lamb which is the property of the Imperial Government, and there will also be space for a considerable quantity of the new season’s killing, and for butter and cheese. The quantities of frozen meat in store on December 3Hst, for which no shipping space has been allotted, were as follow, in freight carcases:—lmperial Government mutton, lamb, and sundries, 377 - 925; Imperial Government beef, 599,277, free meat, 148,309. Allotted to steamers listed for January loading:—Freight carcases: Imperial Government mutton, lamb,,and sundries, 350,980; Imperial Government beef, 120,000; free meat. 148,309. Balance remaining after loading January steamers: —Imperial Government mutton, lamb, and sundries, 26,945; Imperial Government beef, 479,277; free, meat, nil The mutton, iamb and sundries left on hand comprise small parcels at ports to which no steamers have been allotted. The beef will be lifted by steamers arranged by Messrs. Vestey Bros. In addition to 'the free meat killed subsequent to June 30. 1920, space has been allotted in the January steamers for a further 182,911 freight carcases to be killed in this month. The» total allocations for January steamers will therefore be:— Freight Carcases. Imperial mutton, etc. .. 350,980 Imperial beef 120,000 Free meat, 1920 148.309 Free meat, 1921 ......... 182,911 Total 802,200 In addition to the meat there will be space in the January steamers for 369,600 boxes of butter and 115,250 crates of cheese. RATES FOR PRODUCE. HEAVY BURDEN ON SHIPPERS. A REDUCTION OBTAINED. The Government has been for some time past in communication with the Imperial authorities over the question of the freight rates charged for frozen meat and other produce shipped from New Zealand to Great Britain. These rates are on a very high basis when compared with those in operation prior to the war, and the additional burden imposed upon producers has been heavy, though to some extent the increase in the cost of running ships made it inevitable. A cablegram has come to hand from the High Commissioner, who advises that the Ministry of Food has informed him that revised rates for carriage of private meat in the United Kingdom have been fixed as follows: — l%d. per lb. for mutton. 2d. per lb. for lamb. l|d. per lb. for beef. All plus. 5 per cent. This’ means a reduction of 5 per cent, on the rates previously fixed. In those rates the charges for mutton, lamb, and beef respectively were the same as quoted above, with the exception that they had added to them 10 per cent, instead of 5 per cent. The Government is in further communication with the High Commissioner on this subject of freight rates, in view of the heavy burden which is still imposed upon producers.