LAMB PRICE PROTEST

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32458, 19 November 1970, Page 11

LAMB PRICE PROTEST

(New Zealand Press Association J

GISBORNE, November 18

A protest at the most recent reduction in the expert schedule for lamb was expressed by the chairman of the electoral committee of the Meat Board (Mr F. E. Humphreys).

“Sheepfarmers will have learned with grave concern of the reduction this week of 1.5 c per lb, of which 0.5 c per lb is due to increased killing charges,” Mr Humphreys said. “For the whole season this 0.5 c will amount to $3.75m. which the lamb producer will have to pay because of the wage rises recently granted to freezing workers. "Surely the freezing companies can absorb at least naif of this increased cost, after the good season they experienced last year.” “Export lamb producers have co-operated this season in trying to spread the kill at the freezing works by producing more early lambs. This spread is designed to help the works managements and employees, but due to conditions outside the producers’ control it is estimated that the lamb kill to date is 120,000 down on last year.

“Unfortunately for the producer, the schedule has now been lowered by 3.2 c per lb since the opening price for this season was announced. This has reduced the value of an export lamb by about $1 per head?'