The Rise IN THE Price of Meat.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue IX, 30 August 1902, Page 539

The Rise IN THE Price of Meat.

The recent and welcome rains in Australia have unfortunately proved too light for the requirements of the country, and the outlook in the Commonwealth is very gloomy. Worse times, with great shortage of stock, ■are predicted on all hands. Meanwhile the movement in favour of the suspension of the duties on fodder continues to be pushed vigorously, notwithstanding that the Federal Government have refused to take any action. If the Government persist in this course, and the rains do not come, the result must mean a continued loss in the flocks and herds, or an enormous appreciation in the price of cattle and sheep that have to* be fed on imported fodder. Whatever the Commonwealth authorities decide to do. the result must be highly beneficial to the New Zealand farmer. If the duties are remitted. a magnificent market will he opened for his fodder: if they ar»

not remitted, an equally magnificent market is o pencil for his sheep and cattle. We rejoice with our farmers in the good times that have come to them, even if these do mean that we have to pay dearer for our meat. That that must be the consequence is, of course, inevitable, and, indeed, the rise has already commenced. A few weeks ago mutton went up a half-penny a-pound, and last week the careful housewives received with alarm the intimation that the butchers had put another penny on all round. Ano it is not going to stop there: yet another rise is contemplated. We understand that frugal households are already beginning to ent down their supplies, boarding-house keepers speak of raising their rates, and the restaur-nt s are between the horns of a dilemma—ci I her they must put up the eharm* or give their patrons smaller helpings. The lat* ter is likely to Im* the first tried expedient.