MARKETING OF MEAT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2729, 23 August 1923, Page 5

MARKETING OF MEAT.

THE LINLITHGOW REPORT. OPERATIONS OF TRUSTS SHOULD BE WATCHED. FRAUDS ON THE PUBLIC. [By Electric Cable— Copyright]. [Aunt, and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Wednesday, 7 P- m > LONDON. August 21. The Linlithgow Committee’s repor , whicß was tabled yesterday, says:Mo 0 , i..' ce „uy a—oa its con“.(S. t iMOO retail .MW. P?* vation. The interests oC the noml ducer and consumer demand Tnt J ot the distribution of homeIdllcd meat should not pass into hands of impoiters. me rs it of both producers and consumers, available at any time t° « e gene onblic We recommend that legisia Son should be introduced making-it 11 tint cold storage proprlefoTSS “nL periodical statistics, showing the total meat of various kinds on hand. The. statistics should regularly be c „ w the Dcpartm w made' to us that in order to stabilise prices over a long period and to prevent exaggerated “f” 1 ' 0 ” perlal meat corporation should bo « tablished in co-operation the minion Governments, t 0 f fro importation and the marketing of Jro zen meat supplies from 'lmperial sources. Such co-operation would guarantee prices for a number « years to overseas pioduceis. T control cold storage from this cWry and refrigerating works m the Hom ions, and would buy from non-Emplrc countries at world prices fiom time to time, only such supplies as were needed to make up deficiencies in British requirements. The. hol ™r £ ' ducer it is claimed, would benefit by a steady market and the home consumer bv the elimination of price fluctuations, which, in the long run, arc always detrimental to his interests. These and similar developments raise questions of policy which it would be beyond our function to discuss In detail. There are, however, certain factors in the present situation whim must have an increasing effect upon the ment industry and which It. may be helpful to bring together m tho present report for consideration The poliev now adopted In union by the British and Dominion Parliaments ana supported largely by State funds, aims at greatly increased British settlement overseas, and, therefore, greatly increased output of foodstuffs re-m£ * r ' keted in the United Kingdom. At the same time, it is regarded as essential to maintain and even expand the proportion of British food needs, which are mot from British homelands, always subject to the necessity of cheap and ample supplies for the people In these islands. This dual policy Is in part the outcome of the demand which arose during and after the war, fox more reliability in the supplies of tho necessaries of life. If means could bo found to co-ordinato production within the Empire, as a whole, ana encourage it in the spirit of give-and-take as affecting foodstuffs generally, it might be possible to regularise supplies and stabilise prices both here and overseas with benefit to all. The question arises whether the aims which are now being left to drift into divergence, and perhaps into economic antagonism, could be harmonised in a way that would make the Interests of this country and the Dominions complementary to one another. British peoples here and overseas should be able to discuss such matters with friendly frankness and with greater prospects of results than would be possible between nations that have no immediate family relationship, and no similar 1 ' means of intercourse. The difficulties are obvious, and they could be solved only after patient and careful discussion between all concerned, but the issue is of the highest national and Imperial importance, and Is being forced by events upon the public attention.”

The Committee's report, in dealing with meat says further: "There was evidence that butchers and dealers frequently formed rings at auction sales. This stifles competition and is detrimental to producer and trade generally. Dealers and auctioneers should endeavour to stop the practice. The evidence showed that imported fresh chilled and frozen meat is being sold as home produced, which is an obvious fraud on the public. It is desirable that means be devised to mark effectively either imported or home-grown meat, or both. The consumer has a right to know what he is buying. The greater part of the retailers’ profit comes from imported meat, which is facilitated by the fact that joints are smaller and better suited to consumers’ needs.