N.Z. MEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 37, 13 February 1937, Page 10

N.Z. MEAT.

EXPORT TRADE.

MR. DUNCAN RETURNS

NEGOTIATIONS IN BRITAIN

«PRACTICALLY COMPLETED."

"The negotiations with the British Government for the export of New Zealand meat are now practically completed," said Mr. T. A. Duncan, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Board, who, in company with Mr. J. Eraser, the general manager of the board, returned to Auckland from England yesterday afternoon by the liner Rangitiki. They accompanied the Hon. W. Nash to England as advisers on the export position.

After paying tribute to the way that Mr. Xash had handled the negotiations, Mr. Duncan said that he could not discuss details of quantitative regulations or the new export policy, as that would be a matter to be announced by the Government when the details were finalised.

Mr. Duncan said that the export position in Britain was brighter, and larger expenditure on armaments had been a contributing factor. There was a good demand for New Zealand meat and lamb. There was also a good market for chilled beef, but improvement in type was necessary. The class of baconer pigs could be improved by better selection. Embargo Question. Mr. Duncan said that he had seen at the Smithlield market chilled beef that arrived from the Waikato Show in excellent order and met with good sale, but it could not be compared with a special Christmas shipment from the Argentine. New Zealand bred a good type of cattle for the market, and should lie able to hold its own with other competitors. He did not think that the percentage of cattle in Xew Zealand for breeding high quality chiller* was large enough, and that was a reason why the lifting of the embargo on imported stud stock from Britain should be considered. Quarantine Period.

Mr, Duncan considered that it would bo. possible to overcome objections in New Zealand against lifting of the existing embargo on imported stud stock by extending the present quarantine period. At present stock could come through Australia, but the extra cost made importations almost prohibitive. There was dissatisfaction amongst English stud stock breeders over the matter, and it might ultimately prejudice the meat trade with Britain.

Mr. Duncan said that in connection with the pig trade porkers were in good demand, and the grading was satisfactory. The market for porkers was increasing, and the Meat Board's advertising was stimulating consumption. The manufacture of bacon from frozen pigs was a handicap to New Zealand, but improvement in demand and price could be obtained by breeding and fattening a larger percentage of. a. more suitable type. '.": ' :: '-?: ■'