THE RETAIL PRICE OF MEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 303, 21 December 1921, Page 7

THE RETAIL PRICE OF MEAT.

(To thi! Editor.) Sir, —1 am wondering if the public is as ignorant as I was until tne other day of the profits which the butchers are making in these days of cheap meat. Am I right in thinking that the public has been taken off its guard? Nearly every week for the last few weeks we have seen written on the butchers' windows, "Meat down again," etc., ana we have felt pleased and said, "It J3 well and as it should be." But is it as it should be? I had reason to go out to Westfield ealeyards the other day, and my eyes were opened. Fat steers were selling at £1, 30/, and £2. Great fat bullocks at from £3 to £4. I was mildly surprised and made inquiries. I was told that this was quite ordinary, and not merely because of a glut in the market on that particular day; in fact, I ascertained there were rather below the ordinary number in. If the prices are about to be increased the public always wants to know tiie wliy and wherefore, but if prices are going down the public is pleased and accepts the decrease without inquiry. It is so in the present case. The butchers are perhaps the only tradesmen who are getting cash over the counter, with practically no delivery, and few bad debts (an unusual thing in these days) ; and making as well just about twice the profit of some months ago. Let those who are dubious make inquiry for themselves, and they will see that this is co. The fall in price of meat should N; primarily for the benefit of the public and not the butchers.—l am, etc.. E.H.3.