ELEVEN POINTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 72, 26 March 1941, Page 13

ELEVEN POINTS

MEAT COMMITTEE

CONTENTS OF REPORT

PAYMENT FOR STOCK

The recommendations of the special committee representing all interests set up to consider the meat position were quoted in the House of Representatives last night by the Minister of Marketing (Mr. Barclay). They were grouped under eleven headings.

The committee recommended that meat in store should not be processed in any way for the time being, but that in addition to the main embargo an embargo should be placed on the export of ewe mutton in store.

For the disposal of livestock on the hoof the committee recommended that six classes excluded from export should be disposed of to the best advantage. The president of the New Zealand Fanners' Union (Mr. W. W. Mulholland) qualified this recommendation by adding: "Provided this is physically possible."

On the basis of payment for stock excluded from export the committee recommended that the Government should continue to purchase all export classes of meat at the current f.o.b. schedule prices until the end of the production year, 1940-41. The method of payment to freezing companies for stock purchased, but not placed in store for export, was to be a matter for discussion between the Government and the freezing companies, within the framework of the existing agreement.

DISPOSAL OF PIGS

The committee recommended that all baconer pigs of 1601b and over, estimated at 10,000 carcasses, should bo slaughtered in the usual way but not processed for export, disposal to be by the best means possible. The committee also was of the opinion that the existing stock of baconers of 1601b and over, estimated at 35,000, might also have to be disposed of by the best possible means other than export.

On the question of boneless ' bobby veal the producer representatives were of opinion that all bobby calves available for slaughter up to September 30 were included in the general undertaking of the Government to include all exportable meat at schedule rates. The committee recommended that all existing organisations responsible for the collection and delivery of calves to freezing works should remain intact to, ensure that the usual quantity of calves were slaughtered to secure normal supplies of skins and veils.

As to the utilisation of the local market, the committee was unable to give a definite recommendation for ensuring the greatest possible consumption of meat in New Zealand. However, it pointed out that the placing of frozen meat on the local market would not materially increase consumption, and in country districts frozen meat might have an adverse effect on consumption.

Recommendation seven, "the quick turn round of overseas vessels," merely stated: "This committee recommends the report submitted by Mr. Bevan for the consideration of the Government."'

CURRENT PRODUCTION

Another recommendation of the committee was that the Government should restate the intention to purchase for the current production year all exportable meat produced within the Dominion, irrespective of whether certain classes would be ultimately exported or prepared for export.

Under rationing of livestock for freezing works, the committee recommended that it should be left to the freezing works to organise the flow through the various buyers and other meat exporters, the works to undertake to ensure equity in the matter of freezing space.

The committee's recommendation regarding the payment by meat buyers for stock restricted from export was that the Government should secure an undertaking from all buyers that full schedule prices would be paid.

The final recommendation was on alternative export markets. The committee recommended ih»t every effort should be made by the Government to investigate the possibilities cf introducing New Zealand export meat to the United States and Canada and also the possibility of securing the use of American refrigerated ships if available.