FRESH MEAT INQUIRY

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1948, Page 4

FRESH MEAT INQUIRY

Mr McLachlan, S.M. to Preside

P.A. WELLINGTON, April 22 A warrant .published in tonight's gazette appoints a commission or six members to inquire into the position regarding fresh meat supplies in New Zealand.

The presonnel of the Commission is Mr A. A. McLachlan. S.M., of Christchurch, who will be chairman, Messrs P, O’Shea (Secretary of Federated Farmers, Wellington), J. W. Perry (a butcher of Auckland), G. Simpson (Liaison Ofticer, Department of .Labour, Wellington), R. B. Tennent (assistant Director-General of Agriculture. Wellington), anu L. C. Web.o (Director or Stabilisation, Wellington). xue Commission’s order of referjnue is to inquire into: — (D Whether the supplies of fresh meat available for the New Zealand retail market are adequate at all times of the year. (2> ii ine finds on the above point are negative, what steps should be caken. under the regulations specified in the schedule to the Supply Regulations Act, 1947, or otherwise, to make available, at certain times of the year, additional quantities of fresh meat, or if this is not thought possible, chilled or frozen meat. (3) Whether it is practicable to provide for butchers to purchase meat, for local consumption by means of a schedule similar to that adopted for the export, trade, and, if so, what margin, if any, should be paid over and above the export schedule price. (4) If the purchase of meat for local market on a schedule basis is deemed desirable and practicable, whether the auction system of disposing of stock for local market should be continued, and, if so, to what extent.

(5) Whether, in the event of the auction system being continued, it is desirable to encourage the practice of group buying by butchers. • (6) Whether the extension of the practice on the part of freezing companies of entering into the wholesale and retail butchery trade is desirable, and to what extent, this practice effects the operation of abattoirs maintained by a local authority under the Meat Act, 1939. The Commission is also to report generally upon other matters affecting the producers, wholesalers, and consumers of meat or affecting one or niiVe classes of persons. The Commission is empowered to hold an inquiry at the times and places deemed expedient.