FROZEN MEAT

Evening Star, Issue 16195, 17 August 1916, Page 5

FROZEN MEAT

DEAR PRICES AND DISTRIBUTION

[Special to 'i*i£- 'Star.']

WELLINGTON. August .17.

Communications are still bciiijj exchanged between ihe Board of Trade and the New Zealand Government with regard lo the dis(ribuiion in Great Uriiain of frozen meat not requited for Army puruosos. Complaints have been made in the Dominion that very hi<jdi profits are being made by selling agents who took over from the Hoard of Trade part of (he meat, requisitioned al fixed prices in New Zealand. It has also bo.-m suggested that foreign companies have been able to exercise influence on price 3, contrary to the interests of colonial producers. , These points are mentioned in a cablegram received from the High Commissioner. "A despatch follows by mail, with a letter from the Board of Trade explaining the existing system and giving prices," says Sir T. Mackenzie. " The Board of Trade point out that many hundreds of retail butchers in the United Kingdom have bad to close their shops, and the profits of the retail trade, except in certain favored localities, are probably less on the average than before tho war. " The costs of handling meat have risen enormously. There ,js no means of fixing the price of cattle sold by the farmers hero in small quantities, or of compelling foreign companies to bring meat here. Though the profits made on Argentine mutton and lamb early in season were high, they related to a comparatively small portion of meat. No American companies act as selling agents, and as distributors they can purchase only on the same terms as everyone else. It is impossible for them to exercise any control over the price of New Zealand mutton or lamb. The Board of Trade deprecate raising prices, and urge that, their action has greatly assisted in the expansion of the New Zealand meat trade."' The Prime Minister will await the arrival of the despatch mentioned by tho High Commissioner before proceeding further with the matter. The Board of Trade have indicated their willingness lo meet New Zealand producers in ii fair spirit, and the force of some of the points raised in the cable is undeniable. Argentine companies, owning no allegiance to the Empire, have been in a position to drive a hard bargain with the British Government, which must have meat for the Army and civilian use. New Zealand producers would scarcely contend that they should be allowed lo follow the example of a foreign country and "squeeze" the Mother Land at a moment when her necessities are the greatest. The other point of difference between the Board of Trade's price and (he relail price charged in Great Britain by dealers is scarcely covered by the cablegram, but the despatch may throw some further light upon it.