NEW CONDITIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 86, 10 November 1939, Page 8

NEW CONDITIONS

GOVERNMENT REQUISITION OF

PIG MEAT

IMPROVED MARKET FOR PORK

Interviewed by a representative of the Beacon regarding the new conditions which Avill apply under the Imperial Government's requisition of all exportable surplus pig meat, Mr W. A. Phillips, Chairman of Directors of the New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association, lutd. said, inter alia, that first in importance is the fact that compared with the average f.o.b. sterling price available to the trade for all classes and weights of pigs on a free market last year, the requisition price offered by the Imperial Government will enable a substantially higher average return to be made to the producer.

While there arc several- .details affecting services as between the point of sale or f.o.b. to the Marketing Department by the trade which have yet to be decided, and until when a definite price cannot be stated, it is now certain that except for weights over 1801bs the hooks price to the farmer on the/ most favourable current port works charges will not be less than (id with good prospects of a slight improvement on this figure.

Next in importance is the question of grading. Owing to the basis of purchases by the Imperial Government having been fixed on a , flat rate for all weights of prime L quality exportable carcases froim . 00 to ]801bs, a similar basis of payment to the producer is now contemplated by export interests. Although the basis of sale to the Gov eminent renders any other course difficult for adoption by these interests, if the principle of preferential for quality which ' has been the mainspring of the development of our baconer export trade be discontinued, it will be v. most retrograde step and one Avhich must seriously endanger our post Avar status quo on the English mar kct. It is therefore to be hoped that the Marketing Department will at an early date find the -means for the reinstatement and preservation of this vital fundamental principle to the continued future progress of the industry and our export trade in particular. "I am anxious to take this opportunity," said Mr Phillips, "to clarify the misunderstanding which has arisen through the sudden and unexpected change in the Imperial Government's altitude regarding the purchase of porkers of weights under 100lbs. They have now agreed to find shipping space for a minimum quantity by weight of 25 per cent of our total exports in weights under lOOlbs, and have fixed the minimum weight of carcases to be shipped at GOlbs. This has great\y relieved the situation regarding the disposal of porker weights in the autumn months, and nrovided producers now make the I fullest use of available food supplies to carry as many of their pigs as possible over IHOlbs. no sori ous marketing difficulties need be anticipated in increasing their production to their economic maximum. More especially will I:his be borne out in practice if between now and the end of February when dairy production is past its peak months, farmers .will use their utmost endeavours to reduce the numbers of pigs coming onto the market under lOOlbs hooks Aveiglit. On the more favourable price level Avhich is noAV assured for the season, if the department fan immediately make mailable from Australia supplementary food such :i-> barley and pollard at a price to the farmer Avhich wi!i Avarrant its econ omie use the outlook Avould be further improve!, but in any case it woidd be a grave mistake for farmers to allow these speculative and obscure considerations to interfere with their normal farroAving practices towards a maximum production. "From December 1," concluded Mr Phillips, "the Bi itish Government found it necessary to ration bacon supplies to 4oz per person per week. The necessity for this shouid be our incentive to co-operate in every way possible to increase, our exports of this important food requisite."