BACON PRICES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 101, 31 March 1937, Page 4

BACON PRICES

STABILISATION PLAN. MINISTER’S ANNO UNCEMENT. Per Press Association. W Ellin UiLL\, .uarch 30. A scheme lor the staDilisation of wholesale prices ol bacon lias been formulated oy the Internal Markeung Department, and will come into operation on Thursday night. in announcing tne ptan, the ActingMinister ol Markeung (.non. It . Lee Martin) said: “tor many years tne distribution of bacon on tne local market lias been m a chaotic state. Tins position has arisen mainly lruin the lact that the official price list from curer to retailer lias been effective in its breach rather than us observance. The price list lias varied to retailers from the actual quoted price to a figure of perhaps Ipi a pound lower than the list price, uue to the practice that lias developed whereby certain retailers have obtained rebates and concessions of varying amounts. During the past few weeks steps have been taken whereby this practice will be discontinued, and a standard net price list will be introduced and rigidly adhered to. “Negotiations have taken place between the New Zealand Bacon G’urers’ Association and tho Director of Internal (Marketing in an endeavour to stabilise bacon prices and the conditions under which bacon is distributed throughout New Zealand. The alteration in the method of wholesale bacon selling will result in a reduction of the association’s present wholesale selling price list of an amount varying from pi to lid a pound. “The Internal Marketing Branch is confident that, as a result of the stabilisation plan which has now been agreed upon, a more uniform quality of hacon will be available and curers will not be under the necessity of jeopardising grade to enable them to meet prices. “Prices ruling for pigs have been on a higher basis this year than for some time past, due mainly to the increased demand on the overseas markets. This factor, combined with the added costs of manufacture, has been causing curers some concern, and prior to- the Internal Marketing Branch becoming interested in the matter, arrangements were practically complete for a general increase in the official price, which would have pertained throughout the Dominion. The fact that an agreement now has been reached whereby bacon will be sold at a net list price has enabled curers to reduce the level of the list price rather than raise it.”