THE MEAT QUOTA

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 160, 1 April 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE MEAT QUOTA

Frank Australian Comment effect on ewe mutton A very informative, and in parts highly critical, commentary on Hie meat quoin imposed by Britain, is given below. This is I'roiii (lie London eorres'pondeiit of the well-known Australian farming paper “.Stock and Laud, - ’ and reads as follows: Tlie Dominions refused to entertain any cut in imports on tlie grounds that no case had been made out that excessive imports were tlie real cause of the fall in values for fresh lamb in 1938, and suggested that the remedy lay more in the direction of orderly marketing of the home product. They might also with advantage have plainly told the council that home production last year was greatly in excess of the quantity that can be absorbed by that limited section of the public who can afford and are willing to pay high prices, and that if the British farmer needs 1/- a lb. dead weight for lam.b—as he says he does —before sheep-farming becomes a practical proposition, then his salvation certainly lies in other directions than by restricting Dominion imports. The Empire Meat Council failed to agree, and in consequence the British Government proposed that the Dominions should agree to a voluntary cut in imports. This was purely a political manoeuvre, as it is ridiculous to suppose that a total cut in lamb and mutton supplies from all sources of 293,000 cwt. will have the slightest effect on prices for home-killed sheep and lambs. But if the British Government felt that for political reasons they must cut Dominion supplies, the Dominion Governments also felt that for political reasons they were unable voluntarily to agree. In American parlance, they “passed them back the buck.” The British Government apparently felt, however, that it could not withdraw from its position, and thereupon imposed a cut of 3 per cent, on the Dominions and 10 per cent, on the foreigner. No Gain Seen. The remarkable thing is that so far, judging by comments in the farming Press, the home farmers seem content with this attempt to usher in the millenium for them in 1939. but no comments seem to be emerging from the National Farmers’ Union. They cannot, of course, be too severe in their criticisms without a rebuff to the new Minister of Agriculture. Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith. their own past president, and this may be a good and sufficient reason. Possibly, and even probably, the reduced quantity allotted to Australia will be sufficient to take care of the reduced production this season, but it seems certain that the New Zealand production will be in excess of her permissible landings, and as no other market is available steps will require to be taken to deal with the surplus. No doubt ewe mutton will bear tlie brunt of any sacrifice necessary to balance quota and production, and if that is insufficient, then heavy wethers will be the next in line. Such a solution of the problem may very well prove a blessing in disguise. Drug On Market. ■ Botli .wether and ewe mutton are becoming more .and more difficult to sell. Modern life, with small houses and flats and minute ovens, and the difficulty in obtaining domestic help, has encouraged an ever-growing demand for the small joint. The present generation also prefers lamb, as it’is more tender and succulent than mutton, and as a consequence the demand for the latter is diminishing to vanishing point. Mutton is now chiefly used by hotels, restaurants, institutions, and the like, where the large joint is more economical, but it.is fast disappearing from the ordinary family menu. Prices of ewe mutton have been steadily declining for a long time because of the very poor demand, and ewes are now obtainable at prices which leave very little after freight and charges have been paid. Relieving this market of a few hundred thousand carcases of heavy ewe and wether mutton would certainly greatly improve the chances of better prices for tlie curtailed quantities and would also tend to help prices for imported lamb and beef. ABOUT MARGARINE A young New Zealand couple in London wrote to their family in Palmerston North that they had tried margarine and found it surprisingly good. The young man’s father bought some New Zenl,•ind-made margarine and gained a like impression. One recent evening :i dairy-farmer friend called in and his host told him about this margarine. He thou hurried out (o tlie p.nntrv mid returned with a packet and a knife, “Here, try it yourself.” he said. The farmer visitor was really amazed, remarking, "It tastes just like butter.” After snnie moments of discussion the host observed lie had in error brought a pound of, “the real thing.” product of a well-known Manawatu factory. When the laughter had subsided, the margarine was tasted. But the dairyfarmer's glum face when lie described it told his inmost thoughts. He had read that London letter too and now is frankly concerned. I feel I really must get a packet of margarine nnd try it myself. But whatever may bo said for margarine, butter must possess some quality of its own, else it would have been driven out long ago. Butter has held its place, despite 30 years of fierce competition.