§ Mr. RATCLIFFEasked the President of the Board of Trade when his Department made its latest contracts for imported meat to this country; with which importing companies such contracts were made; from what countries are such supplies being obtained; what are the prices being paid under such contracts for beef and mutton; and for how long have such contracts still to run?
§ Sir HAMAR GREENWOODRiver Plate.—Contracts from 1st July, 1916, to three months after signing of a definitive Treaty of Peace with Germany; expired 28th September, 1919; made with
The contracts covered supplies for the Allied Governments from the Argentine and Uruguay. So far as the British Government are concerned, the prices were:
- British and Argentine Meat Company, Limited.
- Smithfield and Argentine Meat Company, Limited.
- Swift Beef Company, Limited.
- Armour and Company, Limited.
- Morris and Company, Limited.
608 - Compania Sansinena de Carnes Congelades.
- Archer and Company.
- Vestey Brothers, Limited.
Patagonia.—Contract entered into January, 1917, purchasing the year's output of mutton and lamb. The contract was renewed in February, 1918, to cover the output for that season, and has since expired. Made with the
- Ox beef, good average, 5¾d per lb. f.o.b.
- Ox beef, fair average, 5⅜d. per lb. f.o.b.
- Cow beef, first quaity, 5½d. per lb. f.o.b.
- Mutton, 5½d. per lb. f.o.b.
The prices were:
- Swift Beef Company, Limited.
- South American Export Syndicate, Limited.
- Duncan Fox and Company.
- Rough and Company, Limited.
- Weddel and Company, Limited.
Australia.—Agreements were entered into in February, 1915, with the Governments of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia for the purchase of their exportable surplus of meat, and were subsequently extended to cover the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Tasmania. The prices were revised as from 18th August, 1916, and the leading rates have since been
- First and second grade mutton, 5⅛d. per lb. f.o.b.
- Lamb, 6⅙d. per lb. f.o.b.
These contracts will expire three months after the official notification of the termination of the War.
- Ox beef, good quality, 4⅞per lb. f.o.b.
- Cow beef, good, 4⅝d. per lb. f.o.b.
- Mutton, wethers, 5⅛d. per lb. f.o.b.
- Mutton, ewes, 5d. per lb. f.o.b.
- Lamb, good, 6⅛d. per lb. f.o.b.
New Zealand.—An agreement was entered into with the New Zealand Government in February, 1915, for the purchase of the exportable surplus of meat. The prices were revised in respect of the 1917 season, and the leading rates have since been
The contract will expire on the 30th June, 1920.
- Ox beef, prime, 5d. per lb. f.o.b.
- Cow beef, prime, 4¾d. per lb. f.o.b.
- Mutton, first wether (72 lbs. and under), 5¾d. per lb. f.o.b.
- Mutton, first ewes, 4⅞d. per lb. f.o.b.
609 - Lamb, prime, 6½d, per lb. f.o.b.
- Lamb, first quality, 6⅜d. per lb. f.o.b.
It should be noted that the above prices are f.o.b. in the countries of origin, and do not include freight, insurance, and storage (in Australasia and the United Kingdom), and other incidental charges, such as the Export Duty in the Argentine.