THE PRICE OF BUTCHERS' MEAT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2990, 12 September 1891, Page 2

THE PRICE OF BUTCHERS' MEAT.

TO THE EDITOK. Sin,—A groat deal lias boen said lately about thu rise in price of meat by the Hamilton butchers, with your permission, I will add another growl to the number. The butchers urge in defence that they have to keep a troop of horses, to run all over the place tor orders, and, then, go over the same ground again with the meat, and that they have had v> raise their prices to keep tho thing going. 1 quite agree that the butchers required a higher price than they wero receiving, but that they have risen it in tho wrong direction. They should have two prices for meat. One for tho customers who come to the shep and tako the meat away, and another for those who are waited on for orders and delivery. 1 consider it an inj.istico that tho customers who go to the sh«p, pay cash for their meat, and take it away t'heiiiKelve.% are charged the same prico as those who are waited on for orders, have the meat delivered to them,and liavo it booked for from two to six weeks before paying. Yet such is tho case. Tho butchers have recently drawn up an agreement, deci ling not tn sell meat under prices which they have fixed. Should any of their number break this acrreeme.nl, he will he liable to a penalty of £10. This is very good,but 1 should suggest as an amendment, that they remove one half-penny all round, from tin; prico of meat removed from the shop by tho pnrchrser, adding it to the price of meat which they deliver. My so doing, they will causo people to remove their inuit from the shop themselves, which will in a great measure do away with the present costly method of distribution, by which the customers who pay cash and remove tho meat tliem.selvrs, have to " pay through the nose for it."—l am. &c, A. K. Hodbs. lLumlt'm East, Huptuti'ber lltli.