MEAT CONTROL BOARD

Otago Witness, Issue 3555, 2 May 1922, Page 11

MEAT CONTROL BOARD

WHAT IT HAS ACCOMPLISHED. WELLINGTON, April 28. It is contended that the Meat Control Board has accomplished good work in negotiating for reductions in charges, which impose a heavy burden upon the producers in this country, and reduce the return which they obtain for their labours. But the aggregate results of the board’s work is probably not realised, as concessions and reductions have been obtained singly. Information made available by the Prime Minister to-day gives some of these concessions, for which the board has been primarily or mainly responsible. The concessions are :

As from January 16, freight on wool and sheepskins, reduced by id per lb April 3, shipping companies made a reduction of 22s 6d per, ton in freights to the United Kingdom on tallow and pelts. April 19, freezing companies agreed to a reduction of one farthing per lb in charges for slaughtering, freezing, and storing beef. The New Zealand railways made a reduction, of 25 per cent, in the charge for the carriage of beef for export and live fat cattle for slaughter for export. The Port of London Authority made a reduction of 3s 5d per ton in handling charges and 3s per ton in rent after 28 days. As from May 15, the shipping companies will make a reduction of id in freights to the United Kingdom on beef. These concessions in- the aggregate represent a considerable sum of money, but, as the Prime Minister pointed out, the formation and work of the board have not only been effective in reducing the cost of production, but, according to English authorities, has had the effect of bringing other large centres of population into competition with London, and so providing a wider and more reliable market, as well as increasing the price of lamb and mutton, and even beef to a certain extent, though the price of tho latter is still very far from, being remunerative.