MEAT PROSECUTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20669, 15 September 1930, Page 12

MEAT PROSECUTION.

"CANTERBURY LAMB." LIVERPOOL BUTCHERS FINED. | FROM Ol'Jl OWN CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON, August 8. At the Liverpool Police Court on August 6 several meat traders pleaded guilty and were lined for having falsely described South American lamb ns Canterbury or New Zealand lamb. Tho actions wero brought by tho Now Zealand Meat Producers' Board, on whose behalf Mr. G. I). Roberts appeared. Mr. Roberts said it was only fair to point out that tho inspector was only charged tho South American price, which was about £d a pound less. There was no question, therefore, of a fraudulent profit. The public, however, were deceived, becau'so they imagined that u butcher who did things of tins kind could sell Canterbury lamb at a lower price than could honest and careful butchers. Tho offences took plnco in April, after warnings had been published in tho meat, trade press. Mr. 11. 0. Essenhigh, who represented several of tho defendants, apologised on their behalf and explained that they had not soen the warnings. Tho term "Canterbury lamb" was used rather loosely by many in tho trado and was often taken simply to mean frozen meat. Tho magistrate said he fully appro ciated tho importance of the matter to the New Zealand Board. Ho had not had cases of that kind before him for some considerable time and thereforo would not impose heavy fines, but he hoped it would bo a warning to traders in Liverpool, Frederick Lowey was fined £3 and six guineas costs for one offence and his assistant, John Joseph Shape, was fined £2. Thomas Arthur Mawdeslcy, who is deaf, and his assistant, Thomas Turner, wero respectively fined tho same amounts.

It was stated <hat a summons issued liatf not yet been served on Edwin Hug Lies, hut his assistant, John Robinson, was fined C2. It was pleaded that this shop was "rushed" at the tunc— Saturday midday—whoa tho inspector rnado his purchaso.