THE PRICE OF MEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 March 1921, Page 4

THE PRICE OF MEAT.

REDUCTION AT STRATFORD. NO MOVE IN NEW PLYMOUTH* The reduction in the price of meat which has taken place in some parts of the Dominion of late has spread to at least one town in Taranaki, as it has been announced that the butchers of Stratford have decided to lower their prices for meat from one penny to twopence per lb, commencing from to-day. A leading New Plymouth butcher, questioned by a Daily News reporter last night, as to the prospects of a reduction in prices in New Plymouth/said that up to the present there had been no movement in this direction among local traders. He pointed out that the marked drop which had taken place in the market prices for the side products, such as hides, pelts, and tallow, had greatly reduced any margin upon which they had to work. He did not know the basis followed in the towns where the lowering of prices had occurred, and affirmed that if the New Plymouth butchers could see their way to make a reduction at any time if would be made. He anticipated that any drop would not affect prime meat so much as the cheaper joints, where there would be a bigger opportunity to reduce. The latest instance of reduction of prices concerns the Dunedin butchers, their action having been taken “In view of the fact that the prices of fat stock at the Burnside sales have fallen and are still falling.” THE EXPORT MARKET. THE CONGESTION AT HOME. AN IMPORTANT PROPOSAL. By Telegraph.—Pres* Association. Wanganui, Last Night. The serious slump in the price of meat was referred to by Mr. W. J. Polson, Wellington provincial president of the Farmers’ Union, at a meeting of the For dell branch of the Farmers’ Union this evening, when it was resolved that the Government be asked to confer with the freezing companies of New Zealand with a view to some arrangement being made by which the meat shall be held in New Zealand until the whole of the Imperial meat shall have been shipped and the congestion at the Engish end removed.