DELIVERY OF MEAT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23496, 26 November 1941, Page 8

DELIVERY OF MEAT

AUCKLAND BUTCHERS’ DIFFICULTIES (P.A.) AUCKLAND, November 25. Because of increasing difficulties over labour, and the effect of the petrol restrictions, Auckland master butchers are seriously considering whether they will not have to discontinue deliveries and sell over the counter only. The matter is to be discussed at a general meeting of their association next Monday night. ' Many of the men formerly employed in delivering meat were now on war service, said a master butcher, and most of the youths were in the territorials. Some considered that when the long training courses began next year it would be almost impossible to continue deliveries. Boys were difficult to recruit for a class, of work which required an early start on Saturday morning, and a six day working week. There was a wide choice of jobs with a five day week, and boys went to them. The occupation was essentially one for young and robust men, and war requirements naturally made heavy inroads upon it. Delivery costs had been a heavy addition to butchers’ overhead for some years, he said. It was estimated that an average round cost something like £9 a week to maintain, and no charge was made for the service. The addition of Id a pound for booking and/or delivery, as specified in the price schedules, was rarely imposed in practice. Thus the customer who purchased over the counter obtained no concession. Out of about 150 butchers’ shops in Auckland, some 20 were already doing a cash and carry trade, and in Wellington the proportion was believed to be considerably larger. If a general agreement were made to cease deliveries it was possible that certain rounds would be x’etained to meet special circumstances. However, a charge for delivery would probably be made in such cases.