PRODUCTION OF PIG MEATS

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24391, 18 October 1944, Page 3

PRODUCTION OF PIG MEATS

MINISTER URGED TO STOP DECLINE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 17. The fall in production of pig meats was mentioned by Mr A. S. Sutherland (Government, Hauraki) in the House of Representatives this evening, whom he urged the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. B. Roberts) to take immediate steps to arrest the decline. In 1939 New Zealand farmers raised 1.040.000 pigs yielding 55.000 tons of pig meats, said Mr Sutherland. Last year production fell below 750,000 pigs, yielding 42,000 tons of pig meats. He said this was because the industry did not receive sufficient encouragement. If better prices were paid for pig meats, and lower prices charged for pig feed, the industry, instead of declining, could double its output in two years. Mr Roberts said there had been a considerable improvement recently. They could not offer a higher price to encourage pig raising because they had to import food, and the Australian Government had advised that UNRRA had first claim on Australian grain. The £5 subsidy had been offered to encourage farmers to grow their own pig feed. Replying to an interjection that the department should encourage the growing of oats and barley in the South Island for pig feed, the Minister said he knew of no reason why farmers should not grow their own oats or barley.