UNRATIONED MEAT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24869, 8 May 1946, Page 8

UNRATIONED MEAT

NO INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESTRICTION SUPPLIES BASED ON 1942 CONSUMPTION No reduction -in the quantities of non-rationed meats supplied by freezing companies to butchers has been instructed. This was stated yesterday by representatives of freezing companies, two saying that the companies had been asked originally to keep within 1942 supplies to butchers. The inquiries were made by “The Press,” following a statement, which appeared on April 26, by Mr W. S. Hughes, president of the New Zealand Master Butchers’ Association, that “a cut of 50 per cent, in all non-rationed goods from the freezing works to the retail butchers’ trade had been effected. Goods that the public would find more difficult to buy at the butchers’ shops included kidneys, tripe, and brains.” The representatives of two freezing companies said that no reductions in the supply of edible offals had been ordered by the Rationing Controller. They had been asked to work within 1942 supply limits and the same quantities were being released to the butchers as a year ago. The amount of edible offals available for consumption had not been interfered with.

When this information was given to Mr Hughes yesterday, he commented that his statement had been based on information supplied to him by a representative of a freezing company. When the company’s official was apEroached, he said no such information ad been given and the representatives of the two other companies commented that they had been at a loss to understand Mr Hughes's statement when they had read it. No instructions restricting supplies of edible offals had been received from the Rationing Office.

“The more rigid rationing and the honest endeavour of the public to save their meat coupons has resulted in an unprecedented demand for small goods, and we have not a hope of satisfying the demand.” said Mr G. W. Sim, president of the Christchurch Master Butchers’ Association, on Monday when the reduction of supplies of unrationed goods, as reported by Mr Hughes, was discussed with him. “Kidneys, fries, and brains are definitely in short supply. I take it from the statement that the freezing works have received instructions to curtail the sale of offals. Butchers are living in a predicament. They are also finding it hard to supply their usual customers with dripping, which is in demand because of the butter ration and the frying of more fish.” Edible Fats For Britain Normal quantities of edible offals continue to be shipped from Canterbury to the United Kingdom. Shipments to Britain of edible fats from the Canterbury works are well up in quantity on last year’s shipments. With the exception of fats required for the focal trade, such as pastrycooks and margarine manufacturers, all produced is being shipped. , Fats sold in the past by the South Island freezing works to soap manufacturers were negligible in quantity, and the recent announcement of a reduction in the quantities to be made available to the manufacturers does not affect the works. A proposal made to the Government by meat producing interests that a cut should be made of 10 per cent, in supplies of fats to soap manufacturers, allowing an additional 1000 tons a year to be shipped to Britain, was not accepted.