MEAT INDUSTRY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 244, 28 July 1936, Page 7

MEAT INDUSTRY

CONDITIONS DURING YEAR. REVIEW BY THE BOARD. The 14th annual report of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, which will be presented: at a meeting of the electoral committee of the board in Wellington on August 26 and 27, besides a review of the board’s activities during the year ended June 30, contains a wealth of useful statistical data. An interesting section of the report deals in full detail with the pub—licity campaign conducted in Great Britain. ‘ x The report states:

“The board has given the usual care and attention to the work of regulating shipments of meat this year, with the full recognition that regularity and continuity of supply; are most important factors in the attainment of successful marketing of our products on the British market. The policy of regulating supplies has been in existence :since the inauguration of the board, iand it may claim that its work in this Idll‘ectlon has been markedly successiful in avoiding the excessive fluctuaitions in price, and in maintaining a ihigher average of values than would have been secured under conditions of alternate glut and scarcity. “The aim of the board in regulating ‘shipments is in the direction of balanc—ing them with the capacity of the market to absorb the total volume of meat supplies likely to be available from all tsources in Britain at various periods, r “During the year the grading of all classes of meat at the various freezing works has been given close attention by the board’s supervising graders. The loading and discharge of vessels has also received the usual careful inspec{tion by the board’s officers. i A Late Season. “The conditions prevailing this seaison were quite in contrast with those obtaining last year, this season being gvery belated, there being an excess of ‘rain in most districts. Drought conditions were experienced in most parts of the Dominion during the early and main portion of last season. With an abundance of feed this year, farmers generally were not in a hurry to quit their stock, and as a result the average weights of stock killed! this year for export show an appreciable increase 011 the average weights of last year. “With the object of improving the quality of export lambs, the annual district fat lamb competition inaugurated by the board has proved to be of great educative value to farmers, and ser~ ves as an excellent medium for advertising our lamb when displayed on the stalls in Smithfield. The large gatherings of farmers at freezing works where the entries have been judged for local prizes before being shipped to Smithfield, demonstrates the interest which is now being taken in this competition throughout the Dominion. Advantage was taken of the presence in New Zealand of Mr R. S. Forsyth, C.M.‘G., the board’s London manager, to be present at a number of these field days, and to address gatherings of farmers on matters of interest, especially as viewed from the selling end. “The Anglo-Argentine Agreement expires on November 7 this year, and future developments arising out of the expiry of that agreement and of the Ottawa agreements in the following year will be awaited with the greatest interest, as the future policy of the British Government in regard to meat importations is of vital importance to the meat producers of this Dominion. ; “The year under review has seen a ‘ continuation of the short-term ' quota arrangements, and the duty of sceg that exports of each class of meat in each quota period duly complied with the British Government’s requirements has been an exceedingly difficult and important task for the Board, which has had‘to maintain very close touch with shippers regarding shipment of the various classes of meat in each period. “\Vhen it is realised that shipping tonnage has to be ordered months ahead on account of New Zealand’s distance from markets; that notice of these short-term quotas is sometimes not received until after shipping tonnage has been ordered and vessels are in position; and that delays to vessels due to weather conditions andl other causes frequently occur, it will be seen that the Board’s task of adher— l ing to these quotas is particularly oner- 1 ous. But it is gratifying to know that 3 the British Government appreciates ; these difficulties, and has expressed its satisfaction at the. way New Zealand; has carried out her obligations. Research and Experimental Work.

“The Board’s contribution of £1250 per annum towards the cost of the re—search work being'carried out at the Low Temperature Research Station at Cambridge, England, is being contin—used. The various investigations conducted under the direction of this station are regarded by the Board as of great importance. “The Board has continued to give financial assistance for the contnuation of the research work being carried out at Cawthron Institute, particularly that relating to piri-pira and other noxious weeds and grass grub control. “Investigations being carried out by Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, relating to the breed, deVelopment, and health of sheep have been assisted financially by the Board.” In. a. general review of the work of the Board since its inception more than 10 years ago, the report states:— “After the war, the intervening charges between the producer and. the consumer had increased to. such an extent that it had become very difficult for the farmers to carry on. The first duty undertaken by the Board when it came. into operation was to set out to reduce these exorbitant costs. Mar—ket prices may rise or fall, but the intervening charges between the preducer in the 'Dominion and the buyer at the consuming end remain more 01' less fixed, so that whatever reductions are secured in costs, represent an in—crease in the net return which the farmer obtains for his labour and. capi—tal invested. A notable example Of the reductions secured by the Board

is seen in the various contracts nego—tiated in regard to shipping freight rates. The reductions obtainedi amount to £1,239,000 annually. The Board does not claim that the whole of these reductions are solely due to. its efforts, but it can confidently state that a large portion of these, and other, reductions in costs would not have come into Operation had. it not been for the Board’s negotiations and the powers it possesses. “Quite apart from other economies secured by the Board these reductions in shipping freights as applying to the various classes of stock amount to —5611_) sheep, reductions equal to 35 9d at head, 34111 reductions equal to 23 3d, 8011) pron-kc!” pig, reductions equal to Gs 6d, 1401 b xlraconer pig, reductions equal to 115 4d, and 720’“)- bulllock, reductions equal to 43s Id.”