EXPORTABLE MEAT

Evening Star, Issue 23817, 22 February 1941, Page 7

EXPORTABLE MEAT

PURCHASE BY GOVERNMENT SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS [Pek United Press Association.] W ELL.I NGTON, February 21. The successful conclusion of the negotiations which have extended oi ei .several weeks between the Governemnt and j-epresentatives of the meat buyers, the freezing companies, and the Eew Zealand Meat .Producers’ Hoard was announced by the Minister ol Marketing, the Hon. .). G. Barclay, to-night. t ‘‘ The purpose of onr discussion, the Minister said, “ was to secure some practical plan by which the Government's promise to purchase all exportable meat produced during the 1941F4 season could be successfully applied without any major dislocation to the normal activities associated with the meat trade. The agreement which has now been secured provides in genoiul for the meat operators to continue their normal buying functions and the freezing works to continue their processes and to prepare meat for export in the usual way. If exportable meat remains unshipped after a given period the Government purchase _ plan will automatically become operative, and m this way the original undertaking given to the producers by the Government will be fully implemented. HIGHER RETURNS. “ f am also verv pleased to announce that as a direct' result of this agreemoat it was duc-icTed to-dav by the buyers’ representatives in consuJtatio'u with the Director-General of Agriculture, Mr A. H. Cockayne, and the general manager of the New Zealand Meat Board, to increase, the present having schedule for livestock, tins new schedule, which will become operative as from February 24, pruucles for the following increases:—- “ Lambs, all grades, sd per lb. “ Wethers up to 721 b, id per lb. “ Ewes up to 721 b, id per lb. The Minister concluded by expressine appreciation of the friendly ami co-operative attitude adopted by all the representatives during the discussions. He said it was evident that it was the desire of everyone present to find the best means by which the stability of the industry could be maintained during the present emergency period. He felt sure the announcement he was now able to make would be welcomed bv all sections of the farming community throughout the Dominion.