THE MEAT QUOTA.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20908, 15 July 1933, Page 19

THE MEAT QUOTA.

ITS EFFECT ON EXPORT. y ; i OVER HALF A MILLION :: CARCASES AFFECTED. , Tbe proposal made by Major Elliott,>PafliJ»mentary Under-Secretary to the 'British Board of Agriculture, to impose a further cut of 5 per cent, o- the 20 per cent, already existing w importations of New Zealand and lamb for the next quarter, is rl serious concern, as it comes at a time when arrivals in London of New Zealand meat are heavy. When the original 10 per cent. \vas imposed at Ottawa it was realised that with the decline in the sheep flocks of the* .Dominion, the reduction would probably be met by the natural reductions in killings, as the figures were based on the record turnover of 1932 The additional 10 per cent, imposed at the commencement of November last for November and December was also of little moment, as it was New Zealand's off season. However, the 5 per cent, it is proposed to impose lor the next three months affects the iDominion at a time, as stated, when 'heavy stocks are on hand. Compared With last year these were, at June 15: I 1933 1932 ; Wethers .. .. 406,125 434,258 Ewe .. .. 393,990 541,239 Lamb .. .. 1,633,923 1,583,403 The figures show a decline of 175 000 mutton carcases (or 20 per cent.) and an increase of 50,000 lambs (or 3 per cent.). In effect, whilst the additional .restriction of 5 per cent, on mutton is covered to the extent of a 20 per cent, decline in production, and is therefore of no great concern, the position :with lamb is that about 450,000 lambs Will be affected. If the restriction is ito apply to other meat., which is not ;imentioned in the cable as far as New Zealand is concerned, the benefit of I the reduction in sheep would be offset. •At June 15 there were 188,453 beef Yquarters on hand as against 33,896; | porkers 141,785 carcases as against 'f53,415, and baconers 11,305 against 16032. These figures are so small in with those of other counitries exporting to Britain that possibly they will not be brought within •"the restriction. If so, it would settle Van industry only in its infancy. The :restriction is almost certain to be iap»ljid to Eqropean pork exports which, of course, are far greater than iNew Zealand's export of lamb and "'mutton. It was considered that the /November restriction of 10 per cent.

!rffect a reduction of 150,000 pork products from all J to England In the year, few Zealand held-over lamb on to the London market in and September, provided the m. is not extended until here is no reason to suppose Mil, as the present restriction ! has been forced by theyiew British production, which is alght in the two months to ;he restriction is to apply. \ the heavy curtailment of beef should give the British icr a chance of better prices, of pork a big reactive beneter meat, so that better prices JrealisedT for our carried-over proportion of which in any lid be marketed in the later Australian Position. 'asjtjon in Australia is less ig than in New Zealand, as ve been serious ewe losses in if the states on account of the Lambs, and particularly leep, are likely to show a big jecreaae, probably not to the t the full 25 per cent., but a »hce towards the 20 per cent, aspect is that with the strong in fine wool prices, Australtowners will return more to Oduction at the expense of iduction. The variation in tho will always operate against a

stable Australian lamb export, whereas in the case of wool such an influence is much less, Woolgrowing is the natural, industry of the Australian pastoralist.