MEAT PURCHASES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 72, 22 February 1941, Page 6

MEAT PURCHASES

government plan.

TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 21. A successful conclusion of the negotiations which have extended overseveral weeks between the Government and representatives of the meat buyers, freezing companies and the New Zealand Meat .Producers £oard was announced by the Minister of Mjirketing (Hon. J. G. Barclay) to-night. “The purpose of our discussion, said the Minister, “was to secure some practical plan by which the Government’s promise to purchase all the exportable meat produced during fie 1940-41 season could be successfully applied without any major dislocation to the normal activities associated with the meat trade. The agreement which has now been secured provides, in general, for the meat operators to continue their normal buying functions and the freezing works to continue the process and prepare the meat for export in the usual way. It exportable meat remains unshipped after a given period, the Government purchase plan automatically becomes operative, and in this way the original undertaking given to the producers by the Government will be fully implemented. , , • ‘1 am also very pleased to announce that, as a direct result of this agreement, it was decided to-day by the meat buyers’ representatives, in consultation with the Director-General of Agriculture and the general manager of the New Zealand Meat Board, to increase the present buying schedule for live-stock. This new schedule, which will become operative as from February 24, provides for the following increases: Lambs,- all grades, £d per pound, wethers up to (21b, id per pound, ewe 6 up to 721 b, J-d per’ pound.” The Minister concluded by expressing appreciation of the friendly and co-operative attitude adopted by all representatives during the discussions. He said it was evident that it was the desire of everyone present to find the best means bv which stability in the industry could be maintained during the present emergency period. He felt sure the announcement he was now able to make -would be welcomed by all sections of the farming community throughout the Dominion.