"UNTOLD WEALTH"

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 127, 31 May 1928, Page 8

"UNTOLD WEALTH"

GREAT SHEEP INDUSTRY DOMINION'S PRODUCE POSITION REVIEWED The opinion that much of the gloom which lay over New Zealand's primary industries had disappeared during tho past twelve months was expressed by Mr. W. Perry, president of the Eoyal Agricultural Society of New Zealand, in an address delivered to conference delegates last evening. Mr. Perry said that to the wool industry fell the honour of having saved many a farmer from ruin; had the prices been easier, it was safe to sny that not many;would weather this winter's storm. "That there is almost untold wealth in tho great sheep industry of the Dominion," he said, "is seen from the following export, figures:— 1925 1026 . 10-17 ■ £.. £. ' £. Wool 1T.730.7H6 11,5,50,100 12,001,744 Lamb U,7G1,8!)0 ■ (1,011.930 Mutton .. :t,060,7C:) 2,122,009 2,0:i.1,nti8 Sheepskins 1,059,289 1,5.M,273 J,D50,803 ."The export of wool from this Dominion for tho twelve months which ended on 31st March last amounted to 723,717 bales valued at £16,691,385, as compared with 628,355 bales valued at £11,915,781 for the previous twelve lnonths. Thsjrc Was thus an increase Of 95,362 bales, and an extra sum of no less than £4,775,G04 found its way into the pockets of our sheep farmers. "The quality of wool sold in the Dominion during tho November to March roster of sales amounted to 514,135 bales valued at £12,468,097. ■ This works out at an average of 16.89 d per lb over tho whole Dominion, or £24 5s a bale. Last year the average Dominion price was 12.G6d, or £18 3s Id per bale, so that the increase this season amounted to 4Jd a lb, of £6 Is lid a bale. One of tho most satisfactory features of the season has been the uniformity of ideas among growers/ brokers, and sellers regarding values, as the total withdrawals all over tho Dominion amounted to only 1.02 per cent." THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. In. reference to thn dairy industry, Mr. Perry said that the following export figures snowed how dairy farmers managed to make a living:—

"The dairying season," he said, "promised during tho spring and up to the end of the' calendar year to eclipao tho production of any of its predecessors. Tho figures at tho end of December appeared to warrant a forecast to the effect that the season's total production would be many thousands of tons in excess Of the 1926-27 season, Dry weather was, however, general dur* ing January and February in the majority of the dairying districts. As a consequence production was very muchlessened and tho butter and cheese, graded for export is, it would appear at the timo of writing, just about equal on a butterfat baßis to the gradings of these coinmodites during the pro ceding season. Wifch tho exception of a drop during January and February, tho prices for dairy produce have been fairly ■uniform and within, the range generally expected. ' It was evident from that portion of the data Already to hand that tho number of cows'- on test during the season showed a gratifying increase over that number tested, during tho 1926-27 season. Further assistance had been forthcoming by way of a promise by tho Goveriimont ot a subsidy up to eight thousand pounds ion.'fees for cows tested during this season. It was rccognisod that the eulling-out of low-producing cows, was a prominent factor in tho more economical production of butterfat. An extension of the herd-testing movement was very', desirable from the viewpoint 'of greatest production of, butter-fat at. a lower cost, to the dairy farmers. '. • . BEEF RETURNS. "In contradistinction to tho wool and dairying industries," Mr. Perry said, "our beef-rearing farmers ha"vo netted the following amounts from tho world's markets:-r"£ 1,043,871 in 1925; £511,985 iii. 1926; and £583,871 in 1927. To these- -should be added tho receipts from the sale of calf and cattle hides overseas,, Viz., £940,140 in 1925; £756,537' in 1926; and £992,825 in 1927 i During the past two seasons there' has been a marked increase in the export of 'bobby' veal; in 1925 our export of veal was worth £38,801; in 1926, £94,092; ■ whilst last year it totalled £58,594. "It is very pleasing to review such a satisfactory season as we have experienced this year. Not only have thei'e been substantial advances in tho prices of. our primary products, but climatic conditions in most parts of tho. Dominion have been fairly favourable, with the result that when this season finally closes, our export figures will show a considerable advance over tho preceding year. INCREASE IN FLOCKS. "It is interesting tt) note from the last annual sheep returns at the 30th April, 1927, that our flocks of sheep are steadily increasing. As compared with tho,figures for 1926, the returns (at 30th April, 1927), show an increase of 744,023 sheep, and it is particularly interesting to note the marked incrcaso in the number of breeding ewes —883,----478 over th.c preceding year. ■On tho 30th April, 1927, there were in the Dominion 14,831,730 breeding ewes, which probably constitutes a record, and is quite consistent with tho marked increases of our lamb' production, as is shown in tho larger numbers shipped from the Dominion. Tho Dominion lambing figures fqr 1927 show an estimated increase over the actual number of lambs tailed in 1926 of just 800,000, the incrcaso being Well distributed in both islands as f0110w5:—440,086 in the North Island; 359,073 in the South Island. Total, 799,159., "It may bo noted that tho last two. lambing returns (for last year and tho previous year), showed a considerable increase, and thero' is no doubt that With the i increasing of phosphatio manurea for top-di'essing our flocks of , sheep and herd of cattle will be further increased. "For some years past the unsatisfactory condition of our cattle industry has given much concern to pastoralists, and it is particularly pleasing to note tho iilcroased values which have been paid for fat cattle this year. FROZEN BEEF . "During tho last few months there have been good inquiries for our frozen beef from New York, and also- from Montreal, and considerable quantities have been shipped to these and other ports, and it is satisfactory to note that tho markets for our frozen mciit arc being extended. Thero hasi also been a good demand for our beof for Army orders in Great Britain, which, combined with tho demand from Now York, Montreal, etc., has raised tho value for fat cattle throughout the Dominion. The Moat Board has on several occasions made trial shipments of beef, mutton, and lamb, to both New York and Canada, and with a view to fully testing out the possibilities of those markets for our lamb, tho board has this season mado sovcral shipments of lamb to New Yorkw It is to bo

trusted Hint as a result of these shipments a. new market will bo opened up for our lunib. At tho present moment theru is an embargo prohibiting tho importation into the "United States of any meat from countries whero foot and mouth disease is in existence, and under this order the whole of Europe and South America, arc precluded from shipping meat to tho United States; so this practically loavps only Canada, Now Zealand, and Australia outside of this embargo. From the investigations which tho Meat Board ha's inudo hi. the United States,, it is found that the general expression of opinion is that the quality of our New Zealand lamb is excellent. There is, however, a greater prejudice' against frozen meab in, the United States than in Great Britain, due', no doubt, to the fact tha,t tho United States <so far has had plen* tiful supplies of frcsli meat, and the consuming public, as well as retailers, aro not aceustoiiied to frozen meat. Until this prejudice is broken .down there will 'always bo a fairly solid price discrimination between frozen and fresh meat in the States. ''It is very pleasing to note that, as a result of negotiations which have, been going on for somp time between, tho New Zealand Moat Producers'. Board and the representatives of the cold stores in London, considerable reductions have been made in the cold storage rates ruling in London, the Reductions over the rates of 1925 being 10 per cent, off tho first month, and 20 per cent, oft' the second and subsequent months. It is . estimated that theso total reductions over tho rates operating ,in 1925 will represent a saving to this Dominion of approximately £50,000 per aimnm. EXPORT OF PORK,1 "It is very'gratifying to note that our exports of pork are gradually increasing. With a view to encouraging tho exportation of pork, the Meat Board (in addition to prizes offered at tho Boyal, Show for tho best pens of lambs suitable for export) donated £150 'lot tho best pens of purebred large white pigs, and "also tho best oxport classes of baconer and porker pigs. Considerable interest was evinced in these classes, and When .displayed in. London they caused a good deal of interest in tho trade. The following export figures illustrate tho growth in export of pork:— , T»9.r. m2i>. ]!)27.

1925 192G 1927 £. £.' £. Butter .. 10,24b,132 8,695,18S 10,915,233 Cheese .. 5,800,808 5,039,359 5,582,540 Dried Milk 390,045 309,704 30S.101 Corn]. Milk 36,693 35,278 38,170

Pork 106,65!) Hams ........ 21.40S Bacon 3,390 2TO,D1S 2T,25r, -1,451 351,501 21,763. 7,262