PIG INDUSTRY

Evening Star, Issue 23869, 26 April 1941, Page 15

PIG INDUSTRY

GOVERNMENT'S SHORTCOMINGS LACK OF FORESIGHT ALLEGED “ It is much to be regretted that the authorities in New Zealand did not at the start of this season anticipate trouble—as it was anticipated elsewhere —by the saving of valuable refrigeratedspace for our first-grade products,” said Mr W. K. Cameron, presiding at the fourth annual meeting of the Otago and Southland Pig Council on Thursday afternoon. “ This would at least have pointed to the real danger in calling for increased production,” ho pointed out, “ until such time as our cold storage was partially filled, and stated as not being sufficient to cope with this season’s carry-over and next season’s kill. “ If the Government will control oosts and provide efficient and intelligent labour the pig industry will survive,” he continued. “ If, on the other hand, general costs to the primary producer continue to rise, then the destruction of the foundation of the industry—the valuable breeding stock—is inevitable, and a very serious setback must be faced. This fact dominates the future.” If they were to take advantage of a post-war world hungry for meat protection must come now, and it should not be beyond the ability of the Government’s advisers to put forward a practical scheme. The primary producers wanted only the cold facts of the situation, however unpalatable. Given them, they could readjust their programmes. Statements which were only half-truths and which bore little or no relation to facts were highly damaging, tending to panic, which was always destructive and never constructive or helpful. “ This is where the National Pig In-, dustry Council could be of supreme value,” continued Mr Cameron, “ if it would function as a council of the industry in a practical manner, and not as an offshoot of the Department of Agriculture. The work of the council Lad not been washed, and was of permanent value. With or without an export market, “ Paddy would still pay the rent,” and the position in Otago and Southland would adjust itself probably sooner than in other centres. At all costs the breeding stock must be preserved. It was inevitable that there would be heavy cullings, but that would not he an unmixed blessing. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The following were elected officebearers for the ensuing year:—Chairman, Mr W. K. Cameron; council members—Messrs G. Masters, J. Dunlop, J. L. Johnston, W. T. Hamilton, W. R. Ayson, W. R. Christie, A. Anderson, C. V. Dayus, H. C. Holgate, H. R. Denize, E. H. Calder. GENERAL. A motion strenuously opposing a suggestion that the offices of the council bo moved to the Department of Agriculture was carried unanimously. The motion further urged that the organisation in Otago and Southland be not interfered with, and that no alteration -be made in the pig levy. “ That a producers’ pool, comprising efficient representation of proved members of the curing and freezing interests and the primary producers is a vital necessity to safeguard the pig industry, but the same must be free to function without Government domination.” This was the text of another motion, carried unanimously. The chairman paid a tribute to the work of the organiser, Mr A. R. Macdonald, which was endorsed by a number. of council members. Similar tribute was paid to the secretary, Mr E. 11. Calder. ' ,