MEAT PAYMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17881, 29 August 1918, Page 4

MEAT PAYMENTS.

THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS

WILL RELIEVE FINANCIAL

POSITION

Sir Joseph Ward’s statement, telegraphed from Wellington, that the Imperial authorities have made fresh arrangements for tho payment for New Zealand meat has been received with satisfaction in Christchurch. It is believed that the arrangements, will greatly relieve the financial position as far as meat is concerned. When the contract for purchase was made the Imperial Government paid on shipments. Tho result of this was that a vast accumulation of meat in store remained unpaid for until shipment was made. Representations to the Government resulted in its agreeing to pay for 75 per cent of last season’s meat in store and for 42.91 per cent of the present- season’s up to May 31. Now, evidently in response to further representations, it has agreed to pay .75 per cent on all meat in store, after it has been in store for three months. This will be a relief to the community generally, as well as to meat producersSir Joseph Ward’s message states that tho Government also has agreed to remove “the restriction on 80,000 tons measurement or any other quantity.” Representatives of local freezing companies do not understand what this refers to.