PRICE OF MEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23482, 20 October 1939, Page 8

PRICE OF MEAT

AUCKLAND INCREASE MINISTER'S DEFENCE OTHER CENTRES' CLAIMS EXPORT RATES PARITY [by TKr.KG HA I'll SPKCIAT, It K POUT Kit 1 AY EL LIN G'I'ON, Th ti rsd a y The action of the Price Investigation Tribunal in sanctioning higher meat prices in the Auckland district was defended to-day by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. He also .said it was considered desirable to defer final consideration of the local position until the export price had been determined.

Prices of meat for consumption in New Zealand would be based on the price arranged between the New Zealand and United Kingdom Governments.

Ohristchurch Complaint Mr. Sullivan referred to recent statements concerning meat prices and mentioned in particular a statement originating 'in Christchurch to - the effect that the Price Investigation Tribunal's action in sanctioning higher meat prices in Auckland only had been criticised at a special meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Master Butchers' Association. It was alleged that the singling out of Auckland for preferential treatment was most unjust when the position of the butchery trade in other districts was more serious. Special Circumstances The Minister said the tribunal had approved of a .small increase at Auckland because of special circumstances which had operated therp, which did not apply in other centres. Because of these special circumstances, there was no suggestion of preferential treatment having been granted. The position df the,'retail butchery trade in all the main centres had been most carefully considered by the tribunal, but a decision had been deferred pending the conclusion of negotiations on the question of the supply of meat between the New Zealand Government and the United Kingdom Government. Progress of Negotiations

Mr. Sullivan added that prices of meat for consumption in New Zealand would be based o"n the price arranged between the two Governments, and, as it was expected that negotiations would be completed at a very early date, it was considered desirable, in order to avoid unnecessary disturbance of the local market, to defer final consideration of the local position until the export price had been determined.