STATE MEAT SHOPS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12087, 16 August 1917, Page 6

STATE MEAT SHOPS.

A SUGGESTION FROM THE BUTCHERS. Representative retail butchers in Christ-church were interviewed to-day by a representative of the " Star " regarding tho proposed establishment ol a fctate retail meat shop, but none was prepared to speak for publication unt:l further particulars of -he •Joverument proposal were announced. It is no breach of confidence, liowfever, to state that tho ret.il butchers do not think the State meat shops will be able, to retail fresh meat at a profit at prices below those asked bv the leading retail butchers ol Chnstchurch. It is claimed fee these retailers that the present prices are not duo to them, but to tho prevailing conditions ill tho saleyards. Lower prices would, be preferred by the retail .butchers, as tneir turnover would increase. It is also stated on their behalf that the retail butchers are doing liltlemore in the way of profit-making, nowadays, than to cover thei; expenses. Mr 11. Jones, secretary of tho Butchers' Association, made the suggestion that the Government, instead of opening a State meat shop, should sell frozen meat to the Christ-church butchers and fix the retail prices at which this meat should be sold. Such shops might be termed "Government" shops. Many butchers, ho said, would lh> glad to work under such an agreement. The l-etailers could not get supplies of frozen meat from the works, but if the Government could and supplied the retailers "with it, the> butchers would rptail it at the agreed fixed prices. That would dispense with the necessity of opening a State meat shop. Jf people wanted cheap meat, they would have to buy the frozen meat, as fresh meat could not be retailed at about 5d per lb as suggested. In conclusion, Mr Jones said that tho people of Christchurch had been spoiled bo far as their meat supply was concerned. They had been getting the best meat in the world. In England, people were paying/ for frozen meat half as much again ns'the Christchurch people were paying for fresh meat.