PORK AND PRICE

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 149, 21 December 1945, Page 9

PORK AND PRICE

An application from the master butchers for an adjustment of subsidy on pork was recently made, and the matter is now under consideration by the Economic Stabilisation Commission, stated the Price Tribunal, in answer to an inquiry from "The Post," based on aletter from G. J. J. Feil.

"As one who resents the absence of pork for civilian consumption, I was more than concerned to see that the Wellington butchers had refused to stock pork, even now that it is alleged to be available to the public," wrote the correspondent, who quoted figures regarding the cost of pork to the butcher and the amount he was likely to realise on its sale. An average side of pork, it was stated, cost the butcher IOJd per lb, and for approximately 37 lb a total of £1 12s 4£d. At Tribunal prices for the various cuts this would return a total of £1 13s lOd—a surplus of Is si|d to pay all overhead expenses, including heavy wages. The butcher got a subsidy of 2s 4d for every £1 of coupons he produces, but even so there was nothing in it for the butcher. "I suggest that it is high time the Price Tribunal settled its difficulties with the butchers. The public are not greatly concerned as to whether the butchers make an extra Jd per lb or not, but they are concerned in getting the meat they want at a reasonable prjjpe."