OUR MEAT IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2852, 17 August 1916, Page 8

OUR MEAT IN LONDON

HOW- IT IS SOLI), f Correspondence has boon passing between tie Government of New Zealand -and the Imperial Government regarding vthe disposal in England of that portion of tho New Zealand meat commandeered pn behalf of the Board of Trade which "is not Required' or is not suitable for .< the use of the 'Army in the field. It -has been alleged at this end by ship-' . pera and producers that tho Board of Trade, fixing the price for sale, allows speculators to seouro the meat at this low price and afterwards distribute it to retailers at a,'much higher price. In -. / proof of this It has been urged that , whareas before the war River Plate - meat 'was always quoted at about id. j per lb, less than New' Zealand meat, v-il) ia now quoted at about'2d. per lb. "(nmr?, the ieason being that the price ..«f Argentine meat is' not regulated bv 'the ward of Trade. " •- Allowing i B a text of a recent'cable--taram received by the Governor of New ( Zealand from the (Secretary of State '"for the Colonies on the subject:— i ' 'Board of Trade point out that many of .retail butchers have had ,- to close 6hops, and profits of retail 'trades except in certain, favoured places ■ j are probably, less on an, average, than .'.before tho war. Costs of handling meat 'have risen enormously.. No means of tixing_ prico of cattle sold' by farmers •Jiera in small quantities oi .compelling -'_;forbign companies'to bring meat hero. ' Though, profits made on. Argentine's niutton and lamb in the spring were ..high, :they_ related to a 'comparatively ..small portion, of.-meat. No American .companies act as 6ellmE agents and •as distributors, can - purchase'' only on ■ . rsame >terms : as; everyone■ else/ impos-. . - fiible for. them : to ..exercise. any control over price of . Now. Zealand mutton or lamb. - Board of Trade deprecate rais- ■_ ing. prices arid urge tiiat their action lias greatly assisted- expansion of New ,-Zealand meat- trade. (Signed) Bonar -Law." 1 v . , • ■ ; CANTERBURY PROTESTS. By Telegraph—Press Association.. ■ L Christchurch, August 16. At the annual ineetihet' of the Canterbury Sheep Owners' .Union, a deputation was appointed- to wait upon' the •Prime Minister' regarding the discrepancy .'between the • of Argentine . V;"!ind New .'Zealand-meat 'in-'. London-. It was also 1 resolved,; that the Prime '.jMinister should be notified that the producers were not satisfied with the-.-.method of dealing with New Zealand mutton and lamb not required'for the - Army, and that lie. be asked to make •full inquiries while at Home in the - • interests of New Zealand farmers.