HIGH COSTS BLAMED

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 261, 31 July 1937, Page 11

HIGH COSTS BLAMED

Difficulties in British Bacon Industry ASSISTANCE PROMISED (British Official Wireless.) (Received July 30, 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, July 29. Early publication of proposals for the milk industry which will require legislation and of a statement on the poultry industry was promised by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. W. S. Morrison, when he told the House of Commons at question time that the Government had given careful consideration to bhe difficulties of the bacon industry, which appeared to be attributable in part to the Increase of pigfeeding cosL and in part to the high costs of bacon manufacture in the United Kingdom. They believed that if the industry were founded on a small number of efficient factories provided with adequate and regular supplies of pigs of good quality and conformation, sufficient economics could be secured in the cost of curing to enable the industry to be maintained during the period of high feeding costs. The Government accordingly would be willing to propose that some assistance should lie accorded to the industry over a sufficient period to enable a contract system for the supply of bacon pigs to be re-established it they were assured the reorganisation of bacon factories would so proceed as. to hold promise of reduction in curing costs which would enable both producers and curers to work at a profit. The Government desired to give further consideration in consultation with the industry to the nature of the changes required ami to the form they should take with a view to laying detailed proposals before Parliament as early us possible. In the meanwhile the present arrangements for the regulation of imports would continue.