COMMERCIAL

Taranaki Daily News, 24 January 1921, Page 5

COMMERCIAL

LONDON MEAT MARKETS. HIGH PRICES CAUSE OF ANXIETY. Messrs. Gilbert Anderson and Co., the London agents, reporting on November 30, 1920, state that the high prices ruling for Home-kiiled meat give cause for considerable anxiety to wholesalers from day to day, as fluctuations were on,' a greater margin that in prewar days. Supplies were not regulated, and with Dutch mutton arriving on several occasions during the previous month in fair quantities, as much as 4d per stone fluctuation had to be recorded. It was quite clear that there was a limit to the quantity of meat the public would take at present high prices, which would only recover on a reversion to smaller supplies. Scotch beef was quoted at Is 7d to Is Bd, and English at Is 3d to Is 4%d; cow beef Is to Is 2d. Scotch mutton was Is 8d to Is lid; English Is 5d to Is 8d; ewes Is to Is sd; Dutch Is 2d to Is 9d. Scotch hill lambs made from Is 8d to 2s 2d.

A good demand continued for imported meat at maximum prices. Storage companies were again canvassing for storage. New Zealand mutton was particularly in demand, and noticeably in short supply. Buyers were keen to secure forward supplies of lamb of 192021 killings, and it was hoped that the Government price control would not prevent business. No alteration in the control price of lamb was to be expected at least before March 31 next, according to the latest official announcement. Beef had been in good supply, with top maximum prices obtainable for best descriptions, otherwise there was no change.