BEEF SUPPLIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25175, 16 March 1943, Page 2

BEEF SUPPLIES

EFFORT TO FIX PRICES A DEADLOCK REPORTED At a meeting of the Clutha branch of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday night, Mr Alex. Renton, who had been deputed to attend meetings held m Dunedin between representatives of the Price Tribunal, butchers, farmers, and stock agents in an effort to arrive at a decision on the fixation of beef prices said it seemed to him that a deadlock had been reached. The tribunal, he said, wanted to fix the price at 36s per 1001 b, but beef could not be produced at that price. The Dunedin butchers had stood firm for 36s a 1001 bon the hooks. The two delegates from the Price Tribunal were reasonable men, but they had received their instructions, and could not depart from the price of 36s ori the hoof. This was the price in the North Island, but conditions were altogether different there, the animals being grass fattened. whereas in the south during the winter they had to be fattened on turnips and other cultivated crops. Describing the graziers’ position, Mr Renton said that store bullocks had to be purchased at an average of £lO, and the feed ebst up to 6s 6d a week, so that the fattened beast had to bring a price of about £2O to make a profit for the grazier. At present fat cattle were bringing from 42s to 43s per 1001 b on the open market. The butchers had said that they could not reduce retail prices unless they got the meat at 36s per 1001 bon the hooks. Rather than do so, he said, they had agreed to close their shops. Although heavy penalties were provided for exceeding the fixed prices, there had been no prosecutions in Dunedin. If the producer had to agree to these demands his work would become unprofitable, and nobody would undertake to fatten cattle 'for the market, but would turn to sheep raising. ■ . .' , . Members were agreed that the fattening methods in the North Island could not be compared with those in the south, where expensive turnip crops had to be raised for winter feeding.