HIGH COST OF FOOD

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23299, 8 April 1941, Page 12

HIGH COST OF FOOD

Sir.—Your correspondent “Housekeeper” informs me that if I had read her letter of March.2s intelligently, I would have noticed that she referred also to the high cost of butter and milk. I did notice this fact, but she, having mentioned meat first, therefore concentrated on this subject. I consider that, as yet, her case against the farmer, alleging profiteering on mutton, does not call for the verdict, “guilty.” "Housekeeper” has not refuted my statement that ewes sold in Addington at the time I wrote my previous letter at approximately 2d per lb. This last week’s market is described in “The Press” as "in the nature of a fluke,” but still a 601b ewe was purchased at around 3d. The skin of this class of sheep would fetch half-a-crown to the butcher’s till, which, with the proceeds from the sale' of the liver, brains, and kidneys, reduces the cost price of the carcase to something under 3d per lb. It is quite possible that “Housekeeper” does not realise that freight charges on the railway have increased over 30 per cent, during the last “six or seven’ years. This fact should convince her that what she terms one of “An Under Dog’s ’ bogies does have being and moves about. The butcher knows this, too, for the cost of transport from the abattoirs to his shop has risen considerably. If no other correspondent (more able than I) comes forward. I shall, if “Housekeeper” presses the matter further, give several reasons for the retail price of butter being niore ih New Zealand than it was in London b6f °A ST rA??N U IEC e &AHY. April 7, 1941.

' Sir,—l am surprised that- correspondent “Housekeeper” should question the intelligence of A. and P. Association Secretary’s” very good and convincing answer to her. If House keeper” thinks that the fanners are propped up to such an extent, why does die not come out into the country and get cheap meat, butter, milk, eggs, etc.? She would perhaps not consider such necessaries so cheaply come by u she did her share of earning them by the “sweat of her brow.” instead of having everything delivered to her country woman has to help her man on the land, both inside and outside the home, whatever the . weather, in order to make a success of farming; and she is therefore much too busy helping to make an honest living, very often against the greatest of odds, to be criticising the townsfolk. Your correspondent. ' “An Under Dog” knows what he is talking about when he points to the costs of getting meat from the farm to the consumer; but. if ‘'‘Housekeeper” fails to be impressed by the truths of “An Under Dog’s” statements, then it will take an, abler pen than mine to persuade hC As regards the price of milk and butter, well, it is only reasonable to expect the price of milk to go up when dry weather causes feed to be scarce and consequently less milk is available. Also, as winter approaches, the feed problem is still paramount; therefore the' price must slay up. After: all, townsfolk cannot ' expect all the luxuries and easy living for nothing.— Yours; etc.. * ‘ FARMER’S WIFE. ■Carew, April 4, 1941. ,•• \ • ' ’ '