MEAT PRICES

Evening Star, Issue 24409, 22 January 1943, Page 2

MEAT PRICES

CANTERBURY STABILISATION SCHEME RECOMMENDED TO OTHER CENTRES (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 21. As the result of discussions on the stabilisation of.meat prices, an agreement has been reached in Oliris'tcliurch on a scheme to control the prices of fat stock within the stabilisation range of values. An official statement supplied to-day states: — " During the last few* days representatives of the Miuister of Supply have been visiting Christchurch inquiring into the subject. They met representatives of the Farmers' Union, the Sheep Owners' Union, the Master Butchers' Association, the By-products Company, the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Canterbury Saleyards Company, and the North Canterbury stock and station agents. They also visited the Addington saleyards and followed various auctions closely, interviewing a number of those vitally interested in the raising of fat stock and those disposing of fat stock to the public, both butchers and auctioneers. " Subsequently they again met representatives of the various interests, and a scheme was agreed upon to control prices of fat stock within the stabilisation range.of values. A committee will be set up representing the growers and fatteners, master butchers, and stock and station agents, who will watch the market, and when prices rise unduly above the basic price set down steps will be taken to steady the market by importations of meat from outside districts. It is hoped that other centres in the Dominion will follow this course, and that the fluctuation of prices will be steadied. • " Because of the large quantity of meat required for the forces and the dwindling supply of fat cattle, prices in Canterbury were abnormally high during the latter part of the winter and spring months. The Government is introducing a grading scheme which will come into operation very shortly, .iiien all joints sold through the butchers' shops will be ticketed and sold according to grade." « ■ ■