FAT STOCK PRICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25213, 30 April 1943, Page 2

FAT STOCK PRICES

BUTCHERS AND FARMERS A SUGGESTED AGREEMENT The unsatisfactory position which has arisen in relation to fat stock prices at Burnside because the auction prices have exceeded the ceiling prices fixed by the Government, was the subject of a report to a meeting yesterday of the Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union by Messrs A. C. Cameron and W. Lee. Mr Cameron said that a joint committee of butchers, stock agents, and farmers had put forward suggestions to the Government that each week after the sale the committee should select representativepens to be killed under supervision. The weights would be taken, and after these prices had been worked out the average for all grades could be found. This practice would be carried out over a monthly period. If an increase were shown on the ceiling prices, the recommendation was that the butchers should be allowed to increase their prices accordingly, and in the event of a decrease, the butchers would automatically be required to decrease their prices. Unfortunately, these suggestions had not been approved by the Stabilisation Council, Mr Cameron stated, but negotiations were still being conducted in the hope that the approval of the council would eventually be obtained. After a discussion it was'agreed strongly to support the scheme which had been put forward by the joint committee, on which the farmers’ representatives were Messrs R. T. Kirk and Alex. Murray. On the motion of Mr R. S. Thompson, a motion was carried recommending the committee to interview the Stabilisation Council in Wellington.