MEAT SALES IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27148, 18 September 1953, Page 9

MEAT SALES IN BRITAIN

Consumers Not Buying Full Ration (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, September 17. The question of a system for maketing meat when it is taken off the ration is still under consideration, and the gap between the meat available in the shops, and the amount taken up by consumers, still appears to be growing. The Ministry of Food has announced that the take-up of rationed meat for the week ended September 5 on the basis of the total ration value of 2s lOd a head, was only 2s s)d. In this week, when the off-ration allowance was raised, although the basic ration remained at 2s 4d, an average of 4jd worth of meat a head was not purchased. The “Financial Times” says: "Meat traders held the view earlier in the year that meat could be taken off the ration this summer.

“It is now clear that nothing can be done until next year. It has been estimated that six months’ notice will be needed to enable those concerned to make the preparation necessary for the resumption of private trading. “In principle, the Minister of Food (Mr Gwilym IJoyd George) has, it appears, accepted the view, that every attempt should be made to decontrol meat in 1954, probably some time around the middle of the year. “The stumbling block impending a definite announcement providing for decontrol is the inability of farmers and traders to come to an agreement on the method of marketing. “Meetings of representatives of farmers and traders have recently taken place, under the auspices of the Ministry of Food, but so far no decision has been reached.

“Whereas the traders advocate a deficiency payments scheme, the farmers still adhere to the principle of a producers’ marketing board for meat. The farmers themselves have recently proposed an Interim scheme, however, for the earlier stages of decontrol. “This is believed to run broadly along the lines that a central authority, presumably the Ministry of Food, should continue to buv live cattle at fixed prices, as at present “There would then be auctioneers to auction livestock and meat along pre-war lines. This suggestion was put forward because the farmers accepted that a complete scheme for a producers’ marketing board, which remains their ultimate aim, could not be brought into effect by the - time rationing ends. Their interim scheme has not so far been accepted by the meat traders.’’