RETAIL MEAT PRICES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 213, 8 September 1945, Page 5

RETAIL MEAT PRICES

BUTCHERS TO MEET NEXT MONDAY MATTER RAISED IN HOUSE AND SUBSIDY REFUSED. Wanganui retail butchers are to remain closed on Monday next, for the purpose of discussing retail prices of meat. There is widespread dissatisfaction throughout the trade in the Dominion, and in many centres shops are to be closed on Monday to discuss all aspects of the matter. In Auckland it is not intended to close the shops, but to meet at night. Wanganui and many other centres, however, felt that full representation would not be possible at these meetings. unless shops were closed. The Wanganli Retail Master Butchers’ Association covers an area from Taihape to Waveriey. Something of the dissatisfaction evident in the retail trade was mentioned in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. A. S. Sutherland Opp., Hauraki, who, in an urgent question, asked the Minister of Supply to consider immediately the raising of the subsidy payable to butchers on ail meat sold on account of the high price being paid for fat stock at the present time. Mr. Sutherland said it was impossible at present for butchers to purchase without showing a loss, states the Press Association. The Minister's recent suggestion that butchers could obtain meat from the freezing chambers for sale to the public was unsatisfactory in the Auckland province on account of the humidity of the weather. All the butchers shop? in Waikato were being closed on Monday to allow butchers to consider the future position.

The Minister (Mr. Sullivan), replying. said he had previously indicated that high prices being paid by butchers were due to the competitive auction system, which the butchers generally were unwilling to abandon. Regarding the statement that frozen meat was unsatisfactory for use in the Auckland province, because of humidity, he pointed out that the Armed Forces in the Pacific satisfactorily use large quantities of frozen . meat under more hum'd conditions, and it. therefore, was considered that the arrangements made to release frozen meat would meet the position arising from any temporary shortage of fat stock. The Government, therefore, did not contemplate raising the retail subsidy payable to butchers on account of high prices being paid for fat stock at present. Mr. W. J. Polson (Opp., Stratford): Does the Minister realse the effect will he that the farmers will not fatten stock for winter killing. Tho Minister replied that the* question was admiltedlv a difficult one, but a solution had been found in the past, and no doubt would be found again on this occasion. Some aspects ol it might have to be looked at again, and no hasty decision would be made' REPORTS FROM THE NORTH.

A message from Whangarei, published in Auckland, states that an urgent circular has been received by the Northland branch of the New Zealand Master Butchers’ Industrial Association of Employers stating that at the executive meeting last week, much concern was expressed at the delay taking place in obtaining increases in tlie pr.ee of meat to cover increased costs.

Dr. O. C. Mazengarb and Mr. A. M. Ai derson. public accountant, appeared with a special committee set tin hv tlie association before the Price Tribunal on August 8 and the whole day was spent in nresent ing a case and giving evidence, stated the circular. Much disappointment has been expressed to members of the committee on the results obtained. The tribunal has since advised it was intended to inspect a cross-section of retail butchers' books throughout the Dominion with a view to ascertaining whether or not retailers could absorb the increased costs. The supply of stock and the high prices ruling were considered. As a result of the discontent and dissatisfaction with the treatment meted out to the huchers, it was decided by tho executive that all retail butchers’ shops throughout New Zealand should close for one tvholo day on Monday next. ACTION DEEMED ADVISABLE. The executive considers that Dominion-wide action is deemed advisable and local secretaries are requested to eall meetings to consider the followin’’ questions, and replies will be considered bv the New Zealand organisation. The questions are:—■ (D Are members of the association prepared to stock only frenen meat in ther shops if such policy is decided bv the executive of the New Zealand Master Butchers' Association? <2' Is your association prepared to give efr'et to the conference decision and accept a buying schedule to cover al! operations, which would mean that all meat would be bought at schedule hook weight? (3) Is your association desirous of having pork made available for retail sale ? <4' In the event of all avenues bemg exhausted in an endeavour to obtain a subsidy to make the selling price of meat satisfactory, what universal action uaes your association recommend the New Zealand Associa* tion to take?