MEAT SHORTAGE IN SYDNEY .

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30820, 4 August 1965, Page 17

MEAT SHORTAGE IN SYDNEY .

(N Z. Press Association —Copyright)

SYDNEY, August 3.

Some Sydney butchers have imposed rationing of meat because of short supplies. Retailers said today they were reserving supplies for their regular customers.

The unofficial restriction on meat sales has given rise to a sudden and widespread belief that meat rationing would be imposed by the Government.

But the Premier, Mr Askin, today denied the Government had given any consideration to meat rationing.

“There is no need for public concern,” Mr Askin said, “although it appears to be fairly widespread. “It was even suggested to me yesterday that the Government Printing Office was preparing ration books for the purpose. “In any case, to be effectice, the rationing would have to be done on a Federal level.” The Meat and Allied Trades Federation secretary, Mr T. A. Herbert, said no consideration had been given to meat rationing. “Meat is scarce and dear because of drought losses,” he said.

“But prices are about at their peak, and the shortage will be greatly relieved after the next fortnight. There is

a limit on prices beyond which you cannot go.” The volume of lamb reaching the market would have its seasonal increase from midAugust and through September and October.

In suburban shops today fillet steak was selling at 12s to 14s a lb, and rump steak at 10s a lb.