STATE MEAT SHOPS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 20, 17 August 1917, Page 3

STATE MEAT SHOPS.

A GREAT SUCCESS. ABSOLUTELY CASH TRADE DONE. “Are the State meat shops in Auckland now selling meat at a great loss?” asked Mr W. H. Field, M.P. for Otaki, in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon (states 'the New Zealand Times). He understoad, added the lion, member, that the meat shops were failures finanically, and that the general public were not getting the benefit from them, as one-third of the trade was with restaurants, hotels, and boardinghouses. He asked the

Prime Minister whether lie would produce the balance-sheet for the last six mouths? Mr Payne: “The shops are a great success.” (Hear, hear.) Mr Massey: “Up to the present the shops have been a financial success.” (Hear, hear.) Mr C. H. Poole (Auckland West): “Their trade is absolutely cash.” (Hear, hear.) Mr Massey added that, up to a few weeks ago, at all events, there was a considerable credit balance; and, so far as he was able to judge, the matter was going on exceedingly well. (Hear, hear.)

Mr J. S. Dickson (Parnell') asked what amount the Government had put into the shops. ' Mr Payne; “Nothing at all. They pay as they go.” (Hear, hear.) Mr Massey said that the question was really one for a return. The hou. member had better ask for it in the ordinary way. (Hear, hear.)