MARKETING OF N.Z. MEAT IN BRITAIN CRITICISED

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29108, 21 January 1960, Page 15

MARKETING OF N.Z. MEAT IN BRITAIN CRITICISED

(New Zeaiana Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 19.

The recent catastrophic fall in lamb prices has created for meat producers a situation similar to the 1921 slump, according to a well-known farmers’ spokesman, Mr L. T. Daniell, of Masterton. Mr Daniell said to-night that in 1921 certain farmers’ freezing works, which had been tempted

to try marketing their product in Smithfield, were overwhelmed financially in a few short months.

“In 1922 farmers formed the Meat Producers Board to fight their battles,” said Mr Daniell. “It is disappointing to find that after 38 years the latter-day wealthy meat board is just a plump and inoffensive spectator of the present marketing mess.” Powers of Board Mr Daniell suggested that a Meat Marketing Commission should have fuller powers than those granted to the board. It should have statutory powers not only to sell meat as closely as possible to the consumer but power to buy it up when others were selling it too cheaply on Smithfield. It was abundantly clear that in the gap between producer and consumer New Zealand was losing colossal sums on the British market. Meat market manipulation might cost New Zealand £2O million this year and New Zealand herself should take a firm grip of the marketing machinery. For this, cool stores and an experienced selling staff would be needed and perhaps one or two retail businesses. Trend Towards Direct Sales Big terminal markets were losing ground in America to decentralised markets. Direct sales had mounted, country selling had expanded, and intervention in Britain on behalf of farmers was fully warranted, Mr Daniell concluded.