HIGH PRICES OF MEAT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 219, 16 September 1943, Page 5

HIGH PRICES OF MEAT

CHRISTCHURCH BUTCHERS’ PROTEST (P.A.) Christchurch, Sept. 15. The increasing price of fat cattle throughout the winter (which reached a culminating point at. last Wed-1 nesday’s sale) in relation to the retail I prices for beef fixed by the Price Tribunal were discussed by a meeting • of butchers at Addington saleyards ; to-day, attended by all the butchers': (more than 100) represented at the|‘ sale. i Discussions have been in progress i between the association and the Gov-1 ernment and other interests for a con-1 siderable time in an endeavour to keep : wholesale prices at the parity level on which the retail price is set, said Mr. G. W. Sim. The meeting unanimously [ agreed to adhere to the terms of a ' telegram sent to the Government on September 9 as follows: “Unles.s the | Government establishes a Soutn ' Island wholesale meat price order 1 before September 14 the trade will ' be forced to disregard the retail price order.” Failing immediate action, it is in- ; tended to issue a statement on the j position to the Press. After the meet- j ing Mr. Sim, on behalf of the A&'O- J ciation of Christchurch Master Butchers, issued the folowing state- ■ ment: “The trade hxs done all in its power to hold the retail price of beef 1 at the established price, but with the failure of the Government to stabilise the wholesale buying price the position has become so acute that butchers j are to-day paying £lO. and in cases ‘ mor?, per head for beef lhan the re- j tail prices will permit. The butchers have no alternative but to raise the retail price to a line with wholesale markets to carry on or, as was strongly agitated ?t the meeting to-dav. t? close down. Notification '-rs recei”ed f rom the Government on Tuezdav th n * i] frozen beef would be made avnilab 1 ? as from yesterday (Tuesday), but in i view of the public dislike of this class i of meat, unless the Government pub- j licly makes it imperative that consumers ask for frozen meat, thta re- li lief will be of very little use.”, _ jl