H.—lB.

24

[a. mathrwson.

27. Can you give us an idea of what your average price per pound is less than that of other butchers ?—I have given you a list of our prices, and Ido not think that any one can sell lower. 28. Do other butchers issue price-lists ? —Yes. 29. Do you consider that a halfpenny per pound will cover the cost of delivery ?—Yes. 30. Mr. Hall.] In cities where they deliver, that will be for cash ? —Yes, or at the end of the month for customers. 31. With regard to buying direct from the farmers, do you go to the farms ?—Yes. I am out all the time buying for export. 32. What company freezes for you ?—The man I am buying for freezes in several works, in various parts of New Zealand —in the North. Island as well. 33. Do you find any companies refuse to freeze for certain buyers ?—No; they are too willing to get the killing. 34. Mr. Veitch.] Can you tell us whether freezing companies treat all buyers on the same terms ? —Yes ; they are only too glad to get the stuff through their works. 35. Mr. Hall.] Has the cost of freezing gone up ?—I think not. 36. Has there been any increase in the last five years ?—I could not give you that exactly. 37. What do you estimate the transport charges are from here to London ?—I think, lfd. on lambs. 38. Mr. Veitch.] Do you know of any arrangement between the different freezing companies to fix the charges for freezing ?—No. I am only buying for the man who expoits, and this shop is really only a side show. If it does not pay we are none the worse off. 39. Mr. Hall.] It is simply to dispose of the carcases that are too large or too light for the London market ?—Yes. It is the medium-weight sheep that are shipped —54 lb. to 64 lb. in wethers, and 36 lb. to 42 lb. in lambs. 40. Mr. Veitch.] What does the difference amount to between the price you are selling at and the ordinary price charged by the retail butcher ? —I have not worked it out. 41. Is there a difference of a penny a pound ? —I should say there would be in some cases. 42. Mr. Macdonald.] In the event of a man starting in competition with the butchers in this town, is there anything to prevent him getting supplies or getting a shop ? —I do not know of anything that could stop him doing it. 43. And selling at whatever price he chose ? —I think the butchers are to blame for the present prices. Two or three years ago they charged too much for meat, and outsiders came in. 44. Mr. Hall.] You think the prices are low ? —Yes : but not as low as last year. 45. They ate not unreasonable to the public ?—Last year they were cut to 3d. a pound for legs and lfd. for fore-quarters of mutton. 46. Could you afford to sell at those prices if it were not for the fact that your butchery business is a side show of the export trade ?—lt would take very careful management to sell at last year's prices. 47. When we say that a beast is worth so-much a hundred, that is 100 lb dead-weight, I suppose ? -Yes. 48. What would be the dead-weight ?—That would be the dead-weight dressed. You judge the dead-weight when buying it. 49. The quotation is really for dead-weight ?—Yes, that is so. That is where the judgment comes in. We pay for ox beef 275. to 28s. per 100 lb. 50. What would be the piice for that three or four years ago ? —Much less than at the present. It would be about 225. 51. The Chairman.] Do you think that a legitimate increase ? —Yes. The drought last year had a good deal to do with it: they had to destroy so many young cattle that were coming on, and large estates being cut up has reduced the herds of cattle for butchering purposes. 52. Mr. Hall.] Are strikes in England likely to affect the prices here for lamb and beef ? —I could not give any opinion on that. 53. Mr. Veitch.] Is there any arrangement between the different firms to keep down the price they give to the farmers ? —Not that I know of. 51. You determine the price by instructions from your own employer ? —That is so. 55. It is not left to your own judgment ? —No, I have to buy at a certain price per pound. 56. There is no ring to prevent competing by reason of which the farmer would be compelled to take a lower price than if there was competition ? —No. I think the farmer is very well treated. 57. Do you think there is any agreement not to compete ?—No.

Thursday, 6th June, 1912. Albert Edward Beissel, General Manager of the Taieri and Peninsula Dairy Supply Company, examined on oath. (No, 12). 1. The Chairman.] What is your occupation ? —I am general manager of the Taieri and Peninsula Dairy Suppy Company, and reside at Dunedin. 2. Have you had that position very long ? —About two years. 3. You are acquainted with the process of the supply and production of milk and other articles of produce ?—Yes. 4. Could you make us a statement as to the usual course of procedure in getting your supplies and distributing them —generally, as to the quantity and scope of your transactions ?■ —I think it would be as well for me at the outset to state what our campany is. The Taieri and Peninsula Milk-supply Company is an association of about two thousand farmers. It is a farmers' co-operative company. The farmers hold, I should say, 95 per cent, of the shares. We take in their raw products, milk and butter, and sell it for them to the best advantage. Our articles of association state that we have to