MEAT AND STOCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 189, 12 August 1925, Page 7

MEAT AND STOCK.

- tr , , THE AMENDED RATES, r A COMPROMISE TARIFF. ! (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") ~ WELLINGTON, this day. In his statement showing the final decision on the new railway tariff, the Minister of Railways, dealing with freights on meat and livestock, says: '"The 'board's proposals in connection with rates on frozen meat involved the removal of the concession of 25 per cent oo prime frozen meat, and also involved the removal of the concession of 30 per cent from the 40 per cent that 'was made in railway rates during the war and postwar periods. It was pointed out, however, by the Meat Board and other representatives of the freezing industry that this -would have a very disturbing effect on the industry, particularly as affecting inland freezing works. It wa3 emphasised that the relation of rates oh livestock to those oh dead meat already placed these works at some disadvantage, and it was urged that if this handicap were increased as proposed in the new tariff it would practically mean the closing , down of a number of these works. It was generally agreed, however, that the meat producing industry, except possibly those 'branches of it connected with frozen beef and pork, was in a position to make an increased contribution to railway revenue, and, after full discussions, an arrangement was arrived at whereby rates on livestock should be increased"by 7* per cent. Pigs were excepted from this increase, as it was urged that the development of the pig industry involved very great possibilities from a Dominion point of view, as there was no reason why this industry, as a counterpart to the dairy industry, should not ultimately develop into a very valuable one. It was urged that, owing to keen competition, from Argentine, particularly, the beef industry, which was a very essential one :o the Dominion, was not in a position to bear any increased charges, and that it required'all the assistance that could be given it. The concession that has hitherto been allowed only on prime beef has been extended to cover all beef for export, and the rates on frozen mutton, lamb, and pork have been retained at practically their old level. Even with the proposed increase the rates oa livestock in the Dominion will still compare more than favourably with those in operation in the Australian States. In this case, also, the increased revenue from the new proposals is estimated to be approximately the same as would have been received .under the board's original proposals." —? . *