RETAIL MEAT AT THE FREEZING WORKS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6616, 22 May 1928, Page 3

RETAIL MEAT AT THE FREEZING WORKS

To Tho Editor. Sir, —In your issue of this moruing, Mr. F. J. Mann, butcher, of Fcilding, asks me, as chairman of directors of The Fcilding Fanners’ Freezing Co., Ltd., certain questions relative to the prices at which moat is being retailed by the company. Ho also says: “It is quite time that the farmer sharcliolders tool; a hand and asked why their stock is being given away at such prices.” Mr. Mann, as a butcher and shareholder, knows well that tho meat sold at the company’s shop is “reject” meat and therefore cannot bo exported. This does not mean that the moat, which is subject to export Government inspection, is not good, but it often happens that owing to a bruised leg on a sheep or lamb, or a joint affected with arthritis, the part affected has to be cut off and the rest of tho carcase disposed off in tho imvt profitablo manner. Mr. Mann surely docs not think that a freezing company pays full export price for “rejects.” I admit that the company’s retail prices arc low at present, but. the position is that there is a good deal of meat on baud at tho works, and that meat must \c disposed of to tho best advantage as soon as possible, and. with due consideration to the interests of the company’s many retail customers, who have for so long dealt at tho works.

I expect lo be in Wellington to-mor-row. I could, while there, dispose of all our “reject” meat in an hour. In fact, I know a big buyer who wants it. Although this would benefit throe or four butchers here, and save tho Fcilding Company a certain amount of trouble, would it. be fair to all our regular customers, both shareholders and others who, while our supply of meat lasts, patronise the shop at the works ?

Mr. Mann, ns -a, shareholder, need not- have (ho slightest, fear that, the company will buy stnrk at. io-day'3 prices for retail purposes.—l am, cfe., JOHN C. COBBE. Chairman of Directors, The Fcilding Farmers’ Freezing Co., Ltd. Fcilding, May 21, 1925.