PIG MARKETING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 206, 1 September 1933, Page 12

PIG MARKETING.

ASSOCIATION'S GROWTH. NO QUOTA RESTRICTIONS. Over 200 shareholders attended the annual meeting of the New Zealand Cooperative Pig Marketing Association held in Hamilton yesterday. The chairman of directors, Mr. W. A. Phillips, stated that in conformity with the new grading regulations, the association was paying differential rates of advance on finest selected, prime quality and second quality in baconers, and prime quality and second quality in the case of porkers. The following prices would be operative until varied for all pigs killed:—Porkers, prime, up to 801b, 2Jd per lb; 811b to 1201b, 2Jd per lb;.second quality, id per lb less than prime. Choppers, gd per lb. Baconers, 1211b to 1601b, finest selected, 3d per lb; prime quality, 2£d per lb; second quality, 2Jd per lb; 1611b and over, to be paid for at the same rate as those of 1601b. Payment would be made from 10 to 14 days after the receipt of the pigs.

I Mr. Phillips said the directors felt confident that with the establishment of the curing factory in England by the association's agents, Amalgamated Dairies, Limited, an excellent channel for the sale of baconers had been opened. The agents had arranged for a connection with butchers and retailers.

During the year the association had mado arrangements to deal in bobby calves, and had handled 85,000 to date. So successful had been the transaction that the bobby calf department carried the whole of the overhead expenses of the association during the bobby calf season of three months, while pigs were not being handled. The position regarding the handling of South Island pigs was being investigated and an effort was being made to take what pigs were offering without undue additional overhead expense. There was no likelihood of a quota being placed on the export of New Zealand pork. An indication had been given of the number of. baconers that would be exported by the association. Excellent support had been given by suppliers in the Manawatu, Taranaki and East Coast districts. Referring to the balance-sheet, Mr. Phillips said the financial position of the association was very sound. About 50 per cent of the pigs in hand when the balance-sheet was closed on May 31 had been sold at prices in keeping with the values placed on them. A payment of per lb pork and l-16d per lb shareholders' bonus on pork covered by shares would be distributed within the next few days, and in October a final payment of Jd per lb would be made. The subscribed capital of the association had increased from £800 last year to £6500 at present. The association handled a turnover valued at £150,000 last year at a cost of only £100 in interest. Of the 17/8 which was the cost .of handling a porker from the farm to the market in England, concluded the chairman, only 2/8 represented administration charges within the control of the association. Messrs. J. Kenny, T. E. Roach and W. J. Law were re-elected directors. Mr. W. E. Barber. Foxton, was elected in place of Mr. W. S. Carter, who retired. Mr. C. W. Armstrong was appointed auditor. A motion urging the Government not to remove the emharsro on the importation of stock was carried.