PRICE OF MEAT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4461, 31 January 1917, Page 5

PRICE OF MEAT.

POSSIBILITY OF REDUCTION IN GISBORNE.

Some discussion took place at the Borough Council meeting last night concerning the negotiations which are at present under way with a view to reducing the price of meat in Gisborne, and the Mayor, Mr. W. G. Sberratt, was the recipient of congratulations from Councillors for the steps he had taken in the matter. Mr. David Morgan informed the Council that he was prepared to open up an up-to-date shop in a central position and retail meat to the public at the prices which lie submitted to-the Council, prices to be for cash and delivery at shpp. He applied for the position of foreman of the Government meat shop should one he established here, and asked the Cbuhcil to forward his application to the Minister for Agriculture for liis approval. Cr. Wildish said that lie was not prepared to go over the heads of the local butchers. If the butchers could not agree to the Government’s proposals then the Government should establish the shops. Ci’. Miller congratulated the Mayor upon his efforts to obtain a reduction in the price of meat, and he moved that a letter of thanks’be sent to the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, thanking him for his endeavors in this direction.

Cr. Lawless seconded the motion. He was in accord with Mr. MacDonald’s suggestion to supply local bluchers with commandeered meat at cost price. He felt certain that the Government would see that the interests of the public would he protected. He thought that the N scheme ought to he extended to other necessaries of life. Cr. Munns said that the Government would have to fix the retail price of meat. Tile Mayor: That is the intention. Cr. Wildish expressed satisfaction with the Mayor’s suggestion. He mentioned that- Cr. Hill had been hammering away at a similar project for some time.

Cr. Hill said that it was very pleasing to know that after his hammering away there was a chance of a reduction in-the price of meat being effected. He congratulated the Ma-yor-on his endeavors, and he hoped that his object'would be obtained. The Mayor thanked the Councillors for their remarks. He said that the object had not been attained, hut he thought that it would he. and "it would mean that the public would he able to get its meat at 2d per lb less than the prices now. He bad read about the Auckland scheme, and thought that- it would be a good thing for Gisborne, so be bad communicated with the Minister for Agriculture.