THE MEAT QUESTION

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 96, 11 December 1869, Page 3

THE MEAT QUESTION

A public meeting was held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday evening last, convened by Mr. Richard Lancaster, to consider the high price of meat at Waipori. By 9 o'clock the hall was crowded to excess. Mr. Chappie, of Alexandra, happening, accidentally, to be present, and being well known for his advocacy on all occasions of the rights of the miner, was unanimously elected to the chair. After stating the object of the meeting, he described the way in which meat was reduced in price, in the Manuherikia district by the miners encouraging competition. Those at present engaged in butchering, might think it would be a great disadvantage to them, but after a time they would find' that a healthy competitipn was good for all parties concerned.. He would call upon Mr. Lancaster to address the meeting. Mr. Lancaster stated that he came to Waipori to make miners and business people an offer to supply them with cheap meat, as he had heard that a petition had been forwarded to Tuapeka, inviting another butcher to start in Waipori, and offering considerable .encouragement to any one who. might start. He had come to ascertain the facts of the case v He had no desire to injure any one in the business, but to offer a, fair competition. He was in a position to supply them with meat at a great reduction in the price they were paying ; and if they would agree to* his terms, he was prepared to commence at once. On. similar occasions he had appeared before miners in other parts, and taken a show of hands, which showed unanimity ; but he was not satistied with that alone, as he found that as soon as he brought the price down, the others did the same, and' those who encouraged him to start, at Once went back to their old shop, and so put him out of the market. He could not be expected to go against one or two strong men, who could afford' to lose for a time, and as

soon as the field was their oswn, raise the price to the old figure. If then, they were in earnest in their desire, he would only ask them to form a committee, and make » deposit of, aay 10a, a man, which amount they would save on the first two sheep they purchased, calculating at the rate they were then paying. He would suggest that, say £100 at least should be guaranteed to him, that they would stick to him. Were they to do this, they would find that he w.ould not leave them. A committee of several miners and others, was then formed A vote of thanks to the chairman, whose able and efficient discharge of his duty was highly appreciated by the miners, terminated the proceedings.. The committee afterwards met and opened a guarantee list, which in a very short time represented a sum of £60. The new butchery will be conducted by Mr. Lancaster and Mr. Agnew.