DEARER MEAT

Grey River Argus, 15 September 1945, Page 3

DEARER MEAT

EXPORTERS GET RISE Higher Subsidy for Butchers P.A. WELLINGTON', Sept. 14. A further increase in the opening export schedule prices for meat for 1945-46 season,- is announced to-day by the Minister of Marketing (Hon. B. Roberts). The latest increases amount to a halfpenny per lb. for lamb, and two shillings per hundred lbs. for quarter beef. “When the wages provisions of the Stabilisation Regulations were amended last February, the Prime Minister renewed his former assurance to the farmers that the effect of the adjustments in the wages structure on the primary industries would be given very careful consideration, in the light of the general undertakings given them at' the time of the original stabilisation policy was announced,” said Mr. Roberts. "It is in accordance with those undertakings that discussions recently have taken place between the Government and the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board. The latest increases have been decided upon after a thorough investigation of the extent to which the cost of producing meat will be increased during the coming season. The new opening schedule prices for lamb and quarter beef will be as follows:—

Lamb: Prime down cross and prime Canterbury 23/42, 91d per lb.; 43/50, 9d per lb.; 51/56, Sid per lb.; prime crossbred, 24/42, 9id per lb; 43/50, 82d pei’ lb.; 51/56, 85d per lb.; seconds, 23/42, Sit’d per lb.; 43/50, 8d per lb. Quarter beef: Ox, G.A.Q., all weights, 42/- per 100 lbs.; F.A.Q., all weights, 37s 100 lbs.; heifer, G.A.Q., all weights, 41s per 100 lbs.; F.A.Q., 36s per 100 lbs.; cow, G.A.Q., all weights, 35s 6d per 100 lbs.; .F.A.Q., 30s 6d per 100 lbs. To offset the effect on butchers’ costs of these increases in the export schedule, necessary adjustments will be made in the amount of the retail meat subsidy to be payable to butchers.

“The Chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board has expressed satisfaction at having reached this settlement,” concluded the Minister.