MEAT PRICES RISE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28372, 3 September 1957, Page 17

MEAT PRICES RISE

Auckland Butchers* Move (New Zealana Press Association» AUCKLAND, September 2. The retail prices of beef, mutton and pork equalled record levels in Auckland when they rose unexpectedly by as much as 2d and 3d a pound today. There had been no warning to the public that prices were to be raised. The new prices, said the president of the Auckland Master Butchers’ Association, Mr R. Ryan, “about equal” the highest prices paid for meat during the rationing toward the end of the war.

Mr Ryan said the public could rest assured that prices would drop again when bigger yardings came forward at Westfield later in the year. Some private butchers criticised the association for allowing prices to rise and leaving it to them to make explanations to surprised customers. > Prices "Absurd” “The prices are absurd,” said one retailer. “I have been in the trade 50 years and I have never known them to be so high. The reason is beyond me. There have never been so many livestock in New Zealand, there is no scarcity of meat and it is difficult for us to make explanations to the customers." Mr Ryan said record prices had been paid for beef at the last two Westfield sales. Hoggets were not readily obtainable at this time of the year and lambs were being bought more for the export trade than for local consumption. In addition butchers were not getting a comparable return for their hides and skins.