WHAT HAS THE BOARD OF TRADE DONE?

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3020, 6 March 1917, Page 6

WHAT HAS THE BOARD OF TRADE DONE?

Sir,—l have observed that the Board of Trado has already covered a good deal of ground and fixed selling prices for- butter, butcher meat, ilour, and wheat. With your permission, Sir, I propose to set down in cold print the net result of their labours in the shape of v,;eokly savings to tho individual, and trust that in doing so, I shall not be regarded as hypocritical or offensive to the board or its members, who are personally unknown to mo. Butter.—lt was claimed at tho time that a reduction in price to tho consumer of 2d. per lb. had been effected, tho consumption is about half a pound per head per week, and tho resultant saving is therefore one penny. To effect this, dairy farmers, supplying milk or cream to dairy factories, aro paying a tax on butter-fat, which will cost them at least three hundred thousand pounds per annum. Butcher meat is now being drawn at Auckland and olsowhero from supplies commandeered from farmers,' o.y direction of tko'Homo Government, for any purposes and retailed over the counter for cash, to local consumeis, at from one penny to twopence per lb. less than the retail butchers' prices. As it is computed that delivery, ougaing, and credit costs tho butcher more than 2d. per lb., the saving is moro apparent than real, as the New- Zealand housewife dearly loves to have her purchases delivered at her own door. It is conceded that the Home Government is obtaining supplies ol meat of graded and guaranteed quality from the New Zealand farmer, at 2d. per lb. less than from any other quarter, and I may remark in passing that this concession in price means a money contribution towards the cost of the war of no less a sum than throe and a half millions sterling on laßt year's consignments. As wool and cheese and sheepskins and pelts and hidos, in addition* to beef and mutton, have now been commandeered for Army purposes by the Home Government at a like concession on market values, the New: Zealand farmers' contribution towards the' cost the, war this- year will exceed six million pounds sterling, and they are not grumbling or dismayed at its magnitude as a ready sale is thereby found for all they can produce. It is, however, a new feature to dispose of commandeered meat to privato consumers hero, but even they are welcome to a share, if it is not depriving the men at the front who are fighting so valiantly foe us. Flour and bread have not been reduced in price to the consumer. The net result of the board's labours is, therefore, a saving of one penny per head per. week on butter, and a possible saving of a few pence on butcher meat, but I doubt muck if the public will continue to patronise the cash butchery for the reasons already given.—I am, eto., FARMER.