MEAT EXPORTS TO BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26659, 19 February 1952, Page 6

MEAT EXPORTS TO BRITAIN

COMMENT ON NEW AGREEMENT INFORMATION WANTED - BY FARMERS (New Zealand Preu Association) AUCKLAND, February 18. Meat producers could now plan their production with the prospect of an assured market, but there were many questions which awaited answers, especially If farmers were to be asked materially to increase their production, said Mr w. N. Perry, Dominion president of Federated Farmers, commenting to-day on the announcement that Britain had guaranteed to buy the Dominion’s exportable surplus of meat for the next 15 years. “Increased supplies of fertiliser is one of the major prerequisites to increased production,” said Mr Perry. “Also, are we to have preference on the British market and at the same time be able to exploit other markets, especially for lamb? Will the bulk purchase contract be extended for the 15-year period, or will it end in 1955? What is to become of any surpluses not paid out to producers this season or any subsequent season? “These are just a few of the questions that farmers will want answered, but we will have to wait until Mr Holland returns before we learn all the details of the agreement,” said Mr Perry. Increased production could only be attained if other sections of the community also played their part, as well as the farmers, Mr Perry continued. Only by a united effort by every person in New Zealand could the supply of foodstuffs so urgently needed in Britain be not only maintained, but what was more important, be increased. By doing this not only would New Zealand be helping Britain in her time of need, but the Dominion would also be safeguarding her present standards of living.