Price Inquiry Considered

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31984, 10 May 1969, Page 1

Price Inquiry Considered

4N.Z. Preu Aaaociationi WELLINGTON, May 9. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board is considering holding an inquiry into the discrepancy between prices paid to lamb producers in New Zealand and the prices realised overseas by the export freezing companies. But no decision will be made before the end of the season, the board’s chairman (Sir John Ormond) said last night. He said in an interview today that the for the next few weeks the board would be watching carefully prices paid here and realisations overseas. Discussing the firm prices being paid for New Zealand lamb at Smithfield, he said: “We told exporters in Februtry that the schedule price was too low. We are being proved right “It is bur job to see that Farmers get a fair price, but the New Zealand farmer is not getting a just price for bis lamb. “We do not complain be:ause the exporters make a profit,’’ he said. "We expect

themto make a profit But the New Zealand farmer is entitled to a fair price and there is too big a difference between the price paid to the New Zealand farmer for his lambs and the price which those lambs realise when they are eventually sold at Smithfield. “Some farmers, particu-

i larly in the Waikato, are • urging the board to hold an I inquiry into lamb prices. We i will make no final decision i on this until the end of the i season. i “I am not saying that an inquiry is not justified, but ■ we will wait to see what the picture has been over the ■ whole season?’