RETAIL MEAT SUBSIDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26227, 10 August 1946, Page 7

RETAIL MEAT SUBSIDY

DELAYS IN PAYMENT BUTCHERS DISCUSS POSITION (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 9. Delays in the payment of the retail meat subsidy were fully discussed at a meeting of the New Zealand Master Butchers’ Association, held in Wellington early in the week. The president of the association, Mr W. S. Hughes, said correspondence with the Minister of Industries and Commerce and the Government departments concerned was tabled at the meeting. Butchers were compelled by the price orders to sell greatly below cost and to compensate for this the Government paid a subsidy of 2s 4d for every £1 of current coupons collected, said Mr Hughes. The subsidy, however, was not paid promptly in spite of repeated requests by the butchers. The payments in the Cnristchurch district had only been made to April, and similar reports had been received from other centres.

Representations to, the authorities invariably brought the reply that the payments had been lodged with the Treasury or that the delays were caused by shortages of staff. “These delays and, excuses for non-payment to the butchers of their just dues involve thousands of pounds,” said Mr Hughes. “ In some instances, for example in the case of rehabilitated servicemen, the delay forces traders into most embarrassing financial circumstances.” The public would appreciate that the trade could not carry on and render efficient service to consumers in the present circumstances,” Mr Hughes said. The Government had been advised that nothing other than prompt payments to bring the subsidies up to date where returns were in order would be acceptable.