BUTCHERS’ PROFITS

Southland Times, Issue 19459, 26 January 1925, Page 5

BUTCHERS’ PROFITS

INSIGHT INTO THE TRADE. IMPORTED MEAT SOLD AS ENGLISH. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, January 23. Evidence tendered before the Food Commission showed that the biggest retail butchers were making a 40 or 50 per cent profit, and the others a profit of 30 per cent. It was stated that 20 per cent was allowed during war-time control, and a properly-run shop should do handsomely with that profit. It w T as asserted that the meat trade was centred in a few hands, and that the combines were very strong and kept prices up. It was also stated that hundreds of tons of imported meat w’ere sold as English. There were regulations requiring imported meat to be marked as such, but not 1 per cent was so marked. The Food and Drugs Act officials were afraid to tackle the matter. A Smithfield commission salesman gave evidence that he realised that the pre-war methods needed amending. War-time control brought opportunities. Unfortunately, this control did not include the importers. They were too strong to be brought in. Mr J. Ward, vice-Chairman of the Meat Company of the Argentine, told the Commission that he was one of the pioneers of the trade. He did pioneer work in the Midlands and in Yorkshire on behalf of New Zealand when she began exporting meat. He went to the Argentine in 1895, and there dressed cattle with his own hands in

order to show them what Britain required. English butchers ought to make a living out of profits on selling choice joints of chilled beef at 1/- per lb, and selling inferior cuts at a higher price than at present by preparing them better. He had been Chairman of the Freight Committee of the South American exporters, the cbject of which Committee was to maintain :. nearly flow to prevent glutting the market. He denied that the Committee discussed prices.