PRICES FOR N.Z. MEAT

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28009, 2 July 1956, Page 8

PRICES FOR N.Z. MEAT

WARNING ON EFFECT OF DECREASE

“ WOULD CUT PURCHASES FROM BRITAIN” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

A New Zealand meat trade chief warned last night that if the Dominion farmers’ incomes were reduced, they would have to cut purchases from Britain and look for cheaper goods elsewhere in world markets. Mr J. E. Downes Roberts, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Primary Producers’ Co-operative Society, was speaking in London before returning home after a month in Britain studying marketing prospects for New Zealand meat.

He said that large imports by Britain of Argentine chilled beef were having a serious effect on prices for New Zealand chilled beef and all other Dominion meat bought by Britain. Mr Roberts added: “Monthly shipments of Argentine chilled beef have been approximately 20.090 tons tor many months past. The imports to the United Kingdom this year, up to June, approximate to a total of 110,000 ton? as against practically nil during tne corresponding period of 1955. It is understood that these tonnages would have been greater if more shipping space had been available. “These large shipments of Argentine chilled beef have undoubtedly had the effect of forcing down the prices for home-produced beef and probably all meat produced in the United Kingdom “Very Serious Effect’’

"These shipments have also had a very serious effect on the prices realised for New Zealand chilled beef, and no doubt on all other New Zealand imported meat.” Mr Roberts said that if no United Kingdom Government could hold back supplies of cheap meat to the United Kingdom consumer, the New Zealand Government could not, over a long period stop imports of good quality cars and machinery manufactured by other countries that were badly needed in New Zealand today at cheaper prices.

“If it were possible for the New Zealand farmers to buy the cars of their own choice. British manufacturers would soon find their car sales dwindle to the proportion of British cars sold in New Zealand in pre-war days,” he, said.

“If the New Zealand - farmer is going to have his income reduced to any extent, it must be obvious, too, that he will not be able to purchase the amount of goods from the United Kingdom he has been doing in the last few years and must, therefore, look for cheaper goods in the world markets.”