BRITISH MEAT SITUATION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15975, 18 November 1919, Page 3

BRITISH MEAT SITUATION.

A SHORTAGE OF SOFFIT. CONFLICTING OPINIONS., Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, Nov. 12. Dealing with the meat situation, Mr McCurdy, of the Pood Ministry, says that a scramble in meat imports appears inevitable. Europe’s live stock has been reduced one third. Britain must import in 1920 more than a million tons, and the Continent at least three millions or as much as it is able to buy. The present ‘world’s supply is far below requirements. Even the sian, South American and South African exportable surpluses, aggregating 1,210,000 tons, will barely suffice for Britain’s needs. The general, aspect of the meat situation is full of menace, made more managing hy the American Meat Trust’s control of a large part of the world’s supply. Russia, whose production is immensely reduced, consumed ten million tons of meat before the war, of which over a quarter of a million were imported. The official calculation of Europe’s requirements does not include Russia. Inquiries disclose that the London meat traders differ as to whether the removal of official control would be advisable as regards overseas meat. Some fear the shipping scarcity. Others vigorously demand the abolition of control with a view to restoring stability, and increasing profits and trade, and declare that the Government doling out of supplies bungled distribution and held up vast quantities of good Australasian meat until deterioration, in order to create prices . and conditions favourable to English and Scottish growers. It is admitted that the removal of control will throw great quantities on the market and cause a temporary slump but it is claimed it will not affect the Australasian grower whose profit is already fixed.