THE PRICE OF MEAT.

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14600, 25 February 1921, Page 6

THE PRICE OF MEAT.

(To 11 10 Editor.) Sir, —I think “(Irower" is somewhat | misleading in Ins assertions regarding i Uo' price of meal. Is lie aware of the f- !Ct ihat the price of meal in Hamilton ranges from 2d per II) up to Is I’d lor titlet steak, of which there is on an only 41b‘ in a good bullock, j The butcher, when customers come in j his shop, does not, compel them |o liny the high-pri I joints; he would much ! rather they look the cheaper line, h ■- , cause the best joints are so in demand that the cheaper lines are sacrificed, which of eoi rse keeps up the price of sirloin and rump steak, which m irower’’ reckons is outrageous. Now, sir, 1 think he is not in a position hi judge another man’s business. 1 for one would no| lay myself mil to judge hifarming abilities; but 1 claim to know

a little about a butcher's business, la the Ursl instance, the II unillon butchers are under a huge disadvantage, being Compelled 111 kill at llorOlill. IS "Grower" aware thai every beast killed at lloroliu costs a butcher £2 from the time he buys il till it is landed in the shop; sheep also cost about is 3d per head. It is the overhead expenses that keep up the price of meat, and at the present time it is impossible to sell hides and skins. Every store in thtt nonunion is full, and the merrhaiTls simply will nol buy them. This falls on Ihe butcher as a loss. Last, bill nol least, wages. Is "Grower" aware thai a big rise of about 10s per week is about to be forced on us by the Court. This, he must agree with me, ha;; no tendency |o brim: down Ihe prices. In conclusion. "Mr Grower" can. as I said before, purchase meal in Hamilton ranging from 2d per lb up loi Is :id. We do not ask him to pay tOd for sirloin : Ilia! is a mailer for himself to be sai-iied mi. If he >s nol in a position le buy without writing to Hie public press about it he should buy something cheaper. Thanking you for your valuable space, I am, etc.. .i. a. rrinr. Butcher. P.S.— Would "Grower" prefer to write iimler a nnni-do-plume or give Hie public his name?- --.1.A.8.