END OF MEAT WAR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 July 1927, Page 10

END OF MEAT WAR.

ARGENTINE SHIPPING DISPUTE. EFFECT ON NEW ZEALAND TRADE. We are informed on good authority here that the end of tne American meat war is likely to have a good onect on the New Zealand traae, especially on that of mutton, writes the “Auckland Star’s” London correspondent. In any case, the end of the war between British and American importers or Argentine chilled beer cannot but be conducive to more amicably trading conditions. This war, which has lasted for two years, is said to have cost between £16,000,603; and £15,000,000, and it is this cost which has induced the belligerent parties to come to an agreement The principal- firms concerned are: ' Swifts (American), Armours (American), Willsons (American), Yesteys (British), bmithfield and Argentine Meat Company (British), and the Sansinena Company (Argentine). Hostilities broke out because certain concerns asserted that they were not having their fair quota of the English market, and because, it is stated, the American importers were anxious to dominate the English market. Thus, for two years meat was imported from the Argentine irrespective of the demand, and at times the wholesale prices were lower than before the war. The larger, companies have agreed to concede better terms to smaller ones, and a percentage of trade for each firm has been tentatively agreed upon. This issue is a success for the Vestey interests, which considered that' they were not allowed an adequate quota of the shipping space. The result has been that for nearly two years Argentine meat has been sold so cheaply that for a time wholesale prices have been below the pre-war figures. The enormous orofit which this meant has been mainly absorbed by the retailers; the general public has not had it. Now, if the meat war really ends, the wholesale prices are bound to rise. The English Press is alive to the possibility that the retailers will not reap much benefit by the end of this war, and some are calling the attention of the Food Council to it. 'Die “Star.’’ for instance, says: “'The imlili-. in most cases, has meat, in suite of the low wholesale price in the war; it must not he charged more, because the wholesale m ice will undoubtedly go up. Tn other words, it has not been allowed to participate in the fall, and it must not be forced to participate in the rise. If this is carried out and a new percentage of Argentine meat shipments is agreed on, the end of the meat war will he a general benefit. It is said that the smaller concerns have now better terms conceded to them by their rivals, and as all but one of them are English it should be good news to their shareholders. But we remind them of the fable of the earthen pipkin which flouted downstream with the brass pots.”