MEAT EXPORTS

Evening Star, Issue 22572, 13 February 1937, Page 11

MEAT EXPORTS

TRADE IN HEALTHY STATE BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR HOME MARKET MINISTER'S EFFICIENCY IN NEGOTIATIONS [Pan United Peess Association.] _ AUCKLAND, February 12. The improved] outlook for the New Zealand meat export trade was commented on by Mr T. A. Duncan, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, who returned to Auckland by the Rangitiki. Mr Duncan and Mr J. Fraser, general manager of the board, who accompanied him, acted in an advisory capacity with the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. W. Nash) during his recent discussions with the British Government regarding supplies of meat for the United Kingdom market. “ The negotiations between the two Governments were practically completed, so far as New Zealand is concerned, before we left London,” Mr Duncan said. “Asitis an official matter I am unable to give any indication of the result or to suggest the future trends in the meat export policy. An announcement will doubtless be made by the Government as soon as the position is settled. I can, however,' say that Mr Nash handled the negotiations with the British Government in an efficient manner.” Commenting on the various aspects of the meat export trade, Mr Duncan said there was still a marked improvement in the trade in Great Britain, and the prospects for at least the maintenance of the existing price levels for meat were particularly bright. MUTTON AND LAMB IN DEMAND. “ The Dominion’s mutton and lamb trade is in a very healthy state,” Mr Duncan continued. “ Our lamb continues to receive a substantial premium over that of our competitors, but if we are to maintain this position we must continue to breed and fatten for export only, the very best quality. Where Southdown rams are used for crossing to breed fat lambs none but the best should be employed. Combined with good cross-bred ewes, they give an ideal carcass for the English trade. CHILLED BEEF. “Chilled beef from the Dominion continues to be well received in England and is gaining wider popularity on account of its eating qualities. I saw, however, some quarters which did not arrive in a satisfactory condition on account, of the long voyage and lack of finish before slaughter. These defects can be largely remedied. My opinion is that chilled beef from unfinished. flabby cattle does not stand up to long transit nearly as successfully as that from well-finished cattle.” Mr Duncan said he had seen at the Smithfield Market chilled beef from the Waikato Show It arrived in excellent order and met with a good sale, but it could not compare with the special Christmas display shipped from the Argentine. The conformation of New Zealand cattle appeared to bo much more irregular. “ I had the opportunity to taste this Waikato beef,” Mr Duncan added, “ and it ate excellently. I am sure if we breed a good short-legged, thickfleshed type of cattle of good quality and finish them well, we should bo more than able to hold our own with our competitors. The percentage of cattle in the Dominion which can be used for breeding high quality chillers is not large enough, and in my opinion this is o.ne reason why we should consider lifting the embargo on the importation of stud stock from Great Britain. We must recognise that our competitors are continually striving for improved quality in their herds.” QUARANTINE FOR STUD STOCK. The system of quarantine for stud stock was discussed by Mr Duncan. He suggested it would be possible to overcome the objections in New Zealand against the lifting of the existing embargo on imported stock by extending the quarantine period in the Dominion. At present stock could come through Australia, but the extra cost was so heavy that it almost prohibited importations from Great Britain. The British quarantine regulations prior to export were most thorough, and there was no chance whatever of diseased beasts being permitted to leave England. “ There is a good deal of dissatisfaction among English stud stock breeders over this matter,” Mr Duncan said, “ and the position should not be allowed to continue. Ultimately it may prejudice us in our meat trade with Great Britain. I personally have no axe to grind in the matter, and am putting forward rny views purely in the interests of New Zealand and the future of our meat trade.” Mr Duncan mentioned that Dr A. J. M. Smith, scientist at the Cambridge Low Temperate Station, had accompanied Mr Fraser and himself to New Zealand with the object of carrying out further investigations, into the carriage of 'chilled beef and other matters. PIG MARKET. Discussing the market prospects for pigs, Mr Duncan said that New Zealand porkers were well thought of by the.trade in Great Britain, and the grading was satisfactory. The sale of porkers was expanding well, and the present free competition, together with the Meat Board’s advertising, was having the effect of increasing consumption. Baconers, however, could bo improved, particularly with regard to breeding and selection. He had heard complaints in London regarding the presence of too many over-fat, short pigs.