FAT STOCK PRICES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 January 1943, Page 6

FAT STOCK PRICES

CONTROL SCHEME AGREEMENT REACHED IN CHRISTCHURCH. WITHIN STABILISATION VALUE RANGE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 21. As the result- of discussions on the stabilisation of meat prices, agreement has been reached in Christchurch on a scheme to control the prices of fat stock within the stabilisation range of values. An official statement supplied today states: “During the last few days, representatives of the Minister of Supply have been visiting Christchurch, inquiring into the subject. They met representatives of the Farmers’ Union, the Sheepowners’ Union, the Master Butchers’ Association, the By-Products Company, the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Canterbury Saleyards Company, and the North Canterbury Stock and Station Agents. They also visited Addington saleyards, and followed the various auctions closely, interviewing a number of those vitally interested in the raising of fat stock and those disposing of fat stock to the public, both butchers and auctioneers. “Subsequently, they again met representatives of the various interests, and a scheme was agreed on to control the pricess of fat stock within the stabilisation range of values. A committee will be set up representing growers and fatteners, master butchers and stock and station agents, who will watch the market, and when prices rise unduly above the basic price set down, steps will be taken to steady the market by importations of meat from outside districts. “It is hoped that other centres in the Dominion will follow this course, and that fluctuation of prices will be steadied. Because of the large quantity of meat required for the forces, and the dwindling supply of fat cattle, prices in Canterbury have been abnormally high during tne latter part of the winter and the spring months. “The Government is introducing a grading scheme which will come into operation very shortly, when all joints sold through butchers’ shops will be ticketed and sold according to grade.”