DEARER MEAT

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 August 1940, Page 3

DEARER MEAT

MINISTER’S ANNOUNCEMENT. [per press association.] [ WELLINGTON, August 19. i The price of meat will be Id a pound dearer from to-morrow. A statement issued by the Minister for Industries and Commerce (Mr. Sullivan) to-night announces that, in accordance with previous statements by him, it has now become necessary to make a further adjustment to the retail price of meat. In his earlier announcements, the Minister pointed out the inadvisability of introducing a complicated method of supervision of auction prices, or the institution of any system which might have the effect of debarring the farmer from being adequately compensated for the extra cost of cattle fattened during the Winter for Spring sale. To protect both the public and the producer, it had been decided that the whole situation would be best dealt with by the regulation of retail prices. The price tribunal approved, as from July 1, an increase in the retail price of meat to the extent of |d a pound. It realised at the time that a further final rise was inevitable to cover the more difficult period from August till November. Accordingly, a further increase of Id a pound, which will operate from August 20, has now been approved. As previously, this is a permissive, and lot an obligatory increase. Bacon and other goods commonly known to the trade as small goods, are again excluded from the scope of the order. The new price order has this re-, deeming feature, that while imposing an increase it provides also for a reduction in prices. On the first days of November, December, and January next, prices will drop |d a pound, with the result that by January 1, 1941, thev total increases approved will have been wiped out, and prices back to normal.