Supplies Available From Moerewa, Minister Says

Northern Advocate, 5 September 1945, Page 6

Supplies Available From Moerewa, Minister Says

(Special.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The decision of the butchers of the Northland industrial area to discontinue business next Monday if no satisfactory reply had been received from the Government in the meantime beef and mutton prices •was the subject of an urgent question asked in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr A. J. Murdoch (Opposition—Marsden), in conjunction with Mr S. W. Smith (OppositionBay of Islands) and Mr T. C. Webb (Opposition—Kaipara). Addressing the Minister for Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. Sullivan), Mr Murdoch asked if he had received a telegram from the master butchers of Northland, pointing out the serious difficulties under which ’they were trading and requesting an immediate review of beef and mutton prices. He also asked what action had been taken to prevent a breakdown in the service to the community. “The position regarding retail meat prices generally is that the master butchers throughout the Dominion have agreed to present their case for higher margins covering increased costs to the Frice Tribunal through the New Zealand Master Butchers' Association,” said the Minister in reply. “This case was submitted on Auguse 7 in writing and further oral evidence was given on August 28. The tribunal is examining the case, but further trading accounts have yet to be submitted, after which final consideration will be given. “In the meantime the high prices being paid by butchers at auction sales are due to the competitive auction system which butchers are not willing to abandon. I am advised by the Minister for Marketing that there are ample supplies of frozen beef and mutton at the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company’s Moerewa works and that these are available for the retail trade in the present difficult supply position. “The prices which would be charged for this meat would be the Marketing Department. Export Division, f.o.b. purchase prices, plus a charge for any special services,” continued Mr Sullivan. “There should be no difficulty or loss therefore in butchers supplying beef and mutton at the authorised price at the present time.”