RETAIL SALE OF MEAT

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25440, 11 March 1948, Page 8

RETAIL SALE OF MEAT

INQUIRY TO BE HELD CABINET’S DECISION Developments yesterday in the meat dispute in Christchurch, in which butchers have been refusing to buy stock at the Addington saleyards because they claim retail prices are too low. were: The Cabinet has decided to set up a commission of inquiry into the meat industry.

By to-morrow most butchers’ shops will probably be out of fresh meat. Announcing yesterday that the commission would be set up. the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer) said that its membership and order of reference would be announced later.

Advice given by Mr Nordmeyer in a telegram to the Master Butchers’ Association was that questions to be determined were whether stock should be bought at auction or on the hook, and the' margins to be allowed farmers. wholesalers, or retailers. Mr Nordmeyer said he regarded it as desirable that the inquiry should be held soon, but obviously he could n °t at . this stage set any definite date. Christchurch butchers will probably make a decision this week as to whether they will resume buying at auction

By yesterday afternoon a number of outchers shops—the proportion being estimated at between one-quarter and one-third—were without meat, and the prospect was that by to-morrow only a lew shops would still be trading. One estimate is that by the end of this week one firm only—which operates a chain of city and suburban shops—will be able to supply its cus- * This firm is not dependent on a Purchases for its supplies. Although they are short of fresh meat, most butchers will not close, but will sell cold meats, such as luncheon sausage, which are supplied by wholesale firms.

Efforts by the Master Butchers’ Association to buy meat on the hoof irom farms direct have not so far been successful. The butchers, however, are maintaining their policy of refusing to buy on the open market, and the consequence is the present shortage in city and suburban shops. e Addington Sale at in all fat st °ck sections at tne Addington market yesterday was a S ain restricted to freezing companies the wholesale meat company, dealers an d. butchers who have contracts with “?la Ut l 0 'L s - M ? st the eity ’ s butchers werfi at the sale, but tew took any inln mark et. preferring to gather m groups to discuss the situa-

The entries in the fat sheep, fat cattle, and veal sections were well below normal. Prices for cattle were maintained at last week’s rates, but the lack of competition from butchers, plus the absence of a freezing buyer because of congestion at the works, had an adverse effect on the fat ewe and fat lamb sales.

If the Government removed the levy on skins and hides we would not be faced with the present problem,” one butcher remarked yesterday “The revenue from the levy would allow us sufficient margin and would enable us to pay the prices ruling on the open market.” 1