RETAIL PORK PRICES

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28747, 19 November 1958, Page 14

RETAIL PORK PRICES

Farmers Critical Of Distributors

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. Nov. 18.

The dairy section of Auckland Federated Farmers went into committee today to discuss a circular issued by marketing sources challenging recent criticisms of high retail prices being charged for pork in New Zealand. After the meeting, the chairman of the section (Mr J. H. Ferguson) said the criticisms made by the Pig Producers’ Council had been upheld by Federated Farmers.

Four remits dealing with pigmeat were carried by the section and will be forwarded to the Dominion Council. The first recommended that Federated Farmers make submissions on pigmeats to the coming sitting of the committee of inquiry into the freezing industry, with special reference to the price paid to the producer, the retail price, and the killing charges. The second claimed that the disparity in the price paid for pigs and that charged by retailers indicated that meat firms were taking advantage of the appeal made by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Skinner) to farmers to increase their pig production. The third asked that pigmeat prices be based on New Zealand market realisations rather than on realisations overseas, and the fourth sought the introduction of a grading system of pigmeat as soon as possible.