MEAT AND PRODUCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 265, 9 October 1939, Page 5

MEAT AND PRODUCE.

COMMANDEER PRICES. LAST WAR RECALLED. Negotiations arc still in progress between the New Zealand and Imperial Governments as to tho price for' meat, dairy produce, and wool during - the currency of the present struggle, and it may be interesting to survey the prices paid in the last war for meat and butter. The Imperial Supplies Department did not commence to operate until March 3, 1915, when its main object was to control frozen meat purchases. Later tho scheme was extended to embrace all export products, at all events all lines from New Zealand. During and subsequent to the war, tho department spent the huge sum of £109,400.000 for New Zealand produce. All export meat, including that in store, was requisitioned as from March 3, 1915. The price first fixed operated from then till October 19, 1916, when a fresh schedule came into operation. Tho prices were on an f.o.b. basis. In December, 1917, important amendments were made in regard to delivery, storage charges, insurance, and transfer of ownership. In January, 1919, the Imperial Government agreed to an extension of contract for purchase of meat to Juno 30, 1920. I'first Raised 1912-13 Soiled. Sched. Av. Per lb Per lb. Per lb. d. d. d. Lamb—42’s and under

Smithfield, and so is not directly comparable with the f.o.b. prices of tho coinjnandeer. If Id per lb be deducted from these, they would ho brought into approximate relationship. For example, in the case of beef, the 3Jkl pre-war price on Smithfield represents 2i per lb f.o.b. This compares with the commandeer prices of for the first 18 months and 5d thereafter. BUTTER PRICE. Butter was not requisitioned till November 20, 1917, moro than three years after the outbreak of war. Tho price for the 191819 output was 181 s cwt (Is 7 2-3 d per lb f.0.b.; for first-grade; second-grade, less lo a point lower, presumably on an f.o.b. basis. Producers were also entitled to 50 por cent, of profits from sales in the United Kingdom and these returned £308,C00, or 4s 6d a box. That was about Id por lb butterfat bonus. fi lie commandeer price compared with the two pre-war seasons’ average of 108 s f.o.b. (or 120 s London). At 181 s f.0.b., the increase was 66 por cent, on pre-war values. CHEESE. One-third of tho 1915-16 production was requisitioned at 7*d per lb 1.0. b. thereafter the whole output was taken at rates raised each season. Prices of first and second-grade were; 1916-17, 9id and 9ici; 1917-19, lOd and 9?d; 1918-19, and lOijd. Tho last season's payments continued till July 1, 1920. Payment was made t.o.b. export steamer. Advances of 90 per cent, were granted on cheese held ovor 14 Jays in storo under tho 1918-19 and onwards contract.

(prime Canburyi 53 64 52 Over 42’s bi 6« — Seconds 5} 6g — Wethers — 721b and under 44 53 44 72-851b 44 54 — 75-98lb 4 44 — Ewes- — 721 b and under 4 44 33 Overweights ... 33 4! — Seconds 33 43 — Prime ox 43 5 34 Seconds 4* 43 — Prime cow .... 44 43 — Boneless 5 54 — The (bird price in each case is .landed