DEARER MEAT

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 48, 20 August 1917, Page 8

DEARER MEAT

RETAILERS CONTEMPLATE AN INCREASE IN PRICES.

It is stated that retail butchers in Wellington are contemplating raising the price of 'meat. A butcher "whom, a Post reporter approached with a request for information stated' that lie did not see how the advance could be avoided in view of the increased wholesale charges. Last week a wholesale advance of approximately § d per lb for. mutton, .and. 2s per 1001b for beef, was announced, and now a further shilling -was to be put on to beef prices. In addition, all small-goods had been advanced in some cases beyond the present retail prices. "There has been nothing in the retail meat trade for the past three years," said the butcher, "and " unless these latest increases are passed on some men will have 'to go out of business. We have been carrying on, if not at a loss, for a bare living—less than some wages men would work for." There is now no Master Butchers' Association in. Wellington, so it is'probable ' that an increase, if made, will not'be uniform, but just such as each butcher may decide for himself. Meat prices are stalled to be responsible also for an advance in the charge for the popular meat .pies, from 3d to id. STATE MEAT SHOPS. Further evidence regarding moat prices in Christchurch has been taken by the Board of Trade. It is evident, said the secretary in an official .statement, from information placed before the boaid that Christchurch is in a relatively better position than nineteen out of a total twenty-five other towns. Although prices in Christchurch are higher than those ruling in Dunedin and Wellington, they are lower than those obtaining in Auckland. This statement does'not..include in its scope the Government' meat shops, in which the prices are lower than the Auckland . average. The. point that, will have to.be gone, into is. .what price Christchurcb butchers can sell at if they get the option of obtaining their., "sup-. plies from.the Imperial stores? '