PRICE OF MEAT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19999, 15 July 1920, Page 7

PRICE OF MEAT.

RISE PROBABLE. TO-MORROW. Leading city butchers say that yesterdays high,prices at Addington have made a rise of Id per lb. on mutton practically sure- The only question really unsettled is when the advanced price will he charged. It was stated that it would bo practically impossible to soli vat a. profit mutton bought at yesterday's market, even with an increase of Id per lb in the retail price. It was not anticipated. that such market prices would continue. Higher prices must, however, be looked for, as the farmer who put his sheep on turnips and other special feed, as is necessary at this time of the. year, had to recoup himself the extra cost at the market. Higher prices were probable until October or November. That was the usual course of events at this time of the year. Some butchers 'estimate that they will be able to keep to their present prices for some days, bub some may make an advance to-morrow. The state of the market may necessitate moat being got out of the freezing works by Government permit. It is not thought that Ibis'will prevent' a rise of Id per lb, but that it will to a certain extent stabilise the market. Beef and pork are not likely to advance in retail price, for a while at least. It is staled that butchers are not co-oucratlng iu regard to increase in prices.. Discussing high prices, a butcher said to Ci representative of the “Star” to-day that no one. knew just what was likely to happen when England mid America were making a- steady demand on our meat producers. If two-tooths and lambs were slaughtered indiscriminately, and New Zealand failed to increase its stock, the outlook would bo bad unless the Government stepped in and did something.