LAMB PRICES.

Southland Times, Issue 22214, 5 January 1934, Page 10

LAMB PRICES.

To the Editor. Sir, —The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board report of London prices in your issue of January 2 states that lambs are 7Jd per lb. up to 421bs. This I think, should give us 7Jd here, as I understand exchange, skins, etc., will easily cover all charges; so surely an increase in the local schedule is due. Last year a northern firm came down and created quite a stir. Oh where, Oh where are they now? Mr Derbie stated recently that the farmers had themselves to blame if they could not get lambs killed when they wanted them. This is the result of the change in schedule as it now pays to make lambs heavier.—l am, etc., HARD UP FARMER.

The foregoing was referred to Mr Alex Derbie, manager of the Southland Frozen Meat Co., who comments as follows: “I have no desire to enter into any controversy with an anonymous correspondent, but it would perhaps be as well to remind him of the fact that these Home prices refer to very early shipments (November) and necessarily limited quantities. If the current prices are not acceptable, there is always the option of shipping on consignment and taking the risk of the Home market. Our company offers every inducement in this direction by advancing, free of interest, 80 per cent, of the ruling schedule at time of killing, and the very best facilities for disposal on the Home market. If your correspondent would write or call, I shall be pleased to discuss any points in the matter of marketing.