EXPORT OF MEAT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 271, 29 August 1935, Page 6

EXPORT OF MEAT

THE QUOTAS TO BRITAIN..

REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKET

CHAIRMAN OF BOARD’S RE\ IEW

(Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, This Bay

In his opening speech at tho annual meeting of the Meat Producers' Board to-day, the chairman (Mr T. A. Duncan) said his impression of the British, market was that it could not take an unlimited quantity of meat at a price remunerative to farmers. Further, it was very important that the. supplies of various classes of meat should be regulated to moot the requiremente of tho market.

After setting out the position, under tho Ottawa Agreement and tho shortterm and long-term policy of the British Government, the chairman referred to the part played by Mr h orhes and Mr Coates in tho recent deliberations in London, which were invaluable from our point of view. The meat policy laid clown at Ottawa served Now Zealand well, and unless we had a continuance of the quota system, c r what ho preferred to call quantitative regulation, wo could not hope for svaole or remunerative prices. The Meat Board had earned the commendation of the United Kingdom Government and of tho English meat trade, which wished other countries to follow its 'lead in regulating shipments and maintaining quantity. It must be most satisfactory to our produceis to find that, so far as mutton and lamb were concerned, a satisfactory plan of regulation of supply had been adopted up to the end of 193 b. M e knew where wo stood for the next IS months. Bo far as beef was concerned, quotas had been arranged to Die end. of 1935. A. long-term policy had not yet been formulated, but New Zealand had reached agreement on most of the points with the United Kingdom, and it remained to be seen how far other Governments which had been parties to the discussion would also find the draft agreement acceptable. Owing to the fact that negotiations were yet incomplete, it was impossible to make disclosures at this stage. In regard to pork, Mr Duncan said Ire was sure the quota of 12,500 tons lor baconers, arranged some time ago, would'prove sufficient for our requirements for arrival in UJoo. Die quota of 140,300ewt for porkers, JulyDecember, 1935, might be just about enough for requirements. A good oeal depended on production this spring, and the state of the market. We nave to recognise that the outlook was more favourable for expansion in baconers than porkers, and that we might have eventually to adjust farming activities accordingly. . Referring to chilled heel, Mr Buncan. said that provided remunerative prices were obtainable and that tho beef quota would permit, he was sure we could look forward to a huge, m creasing development in our Nulled beef trade in tho next few yeais As a result of discussions m London, New Zealand was in a fair way toward getting the right to absolute treedoin m changing over from frozen to dulled lamb. The distribution channels were extending. All advertising material this year was specially designed to draw the attention of the public to tho fact that all Now Zealand meat was branded ‘New Zealand.” None would be branded “Em-

pile.” . Retiring directors, Messrs Aclanct and Ormond and Sir William Perry were re-elected.