MEAT PRICES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 October 1939, Page 9

MEAT PRICES

STATEMENT BY MINISTER. DETERMINATION OF EXPORT VALUES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The action of the Price Investigation Tribunal in sanctioning higher meat prices in the Auckland district was defended yesterday by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan. He also said that it was considered desirable to defer final consideration of the local position till the export price had been determined. Prices of meat for consumption in New Zealand would be based on the price arranged between the New Zealand and United Kingdom Governments. Mr Sullivan referred to recent statements concerning meat prices. He mentioned in particular a statement originating from Christchurch to the effect that..the Price Investigation Tribunal’s action in sanctioning higher meat prices in the Auckland district only had been criticised at a special meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Master Butchers’ Association. It was alleged that the singling out of Auckland for preferential treatment was most unjust when the. position of the butchery trade in other districts was more serious. The Minister said that the tribunal had approved of a small increase in Auckland because of special circumstances which had operated there and which did not apply in other centres. Because of these special circumstances there was no suggestion of preferential treatment having been granted. The position of the retail butchery trade in all the main centres had been most carcfull.y considered by the tribunal, but a decision had been deferred pending the conclusion ol negotiations on the question of the supply of meal between the Now Zealand Government and the United Kingdom Government, Mr Sullivan added. Prices of meat for consumption in New Zealand would bo based on the price, arranged between the two Govern-1 ments. and as it was expected that I negotiations would be completed at ai very early date, it was considered de-1 sirable, in order to avoid unnecessary, disturbance of the local market, to de-1 fer final consideration of and decision upon the local position till the export price had been determined.