EXPORT OF MEAT

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 August 1934, Page 7

EXPORT OF MEAT

RESTRICTION REMEDIES SMALLER CARCASE PROPOSED [PUB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, August 28. There would appear to be two alternatives, .stated the President, Mr H. D. Acland, referring to the outlook for meat exporters, at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Sheepowners and Farmers’ Federation, today. “First, we can speak plainly to Britain, explain our position with respect to possible inability to meet ou* debt service commitment, except by the expanding of the output of primary produce, in the iMfpe that the British Government will appreciate that with New Zealand supplying only approximately 2£ per cent, of _ beef products consumed in Great Britain, that 10 per cent, or even 25 per cent, reduction.in the quantity of the 21 per cent, mentioned, would be of such infinitesimal advantage to British farmers as not to be worth ( the risk of antagonising the whole , population of what is admittedly one , of, if not the most, loyal of -British ( Dominions. The other is for pro- j Queers in the Dominion to meet ( the situation as far as is humanly j

possible, with a view to giving the British Government every chance of trying out its new policy by endeavouring to reduce the weight per carcase for export, to an average which will take up the margin of gross weight by which our exports are required to be reduced under the British policy. For instance, if the average weight of lambs for export has been 341 b in previous years, then a reduction in weight of lambs per head might possibly be aimed at anti a maximum carcase weight of lamo for export be set with a view to reducing the gross tonnage of exported meat to the required extent, the principle to be applied, of course, to all other classes of meat for export where possible. Taking lamb weights,

the British housewife has for years been clamouring for a smaller joint. If lamb-raisers could get their lambs away as milk lambs at round about 301 b weight, this requirement would be met. Possibly more profit would be made, if milk lambs of good qual-

ity at this weight were to be exported, and the fattener placed in the position of exporting an additional lamb at slightly heavier weight later in the season. Possibly it would prove to be more profitable for the lamb fattener to sell two lambs of roughly 301 b each than to keep the first lamb for export at 401bs weight. This point might also be considered with regard to the export of beef; that younger beef of lighter weight

per carcase might be exported than weight now being killed, especially in view of the development of the chilled beef trade. The Government should give serioqs consideration to the advisability of immediately sending representatives to the United States, with a view to arranging, if possible, lor reciprocal trade relations to be established between the Dominion and the States.

U.S.A. MARKET PROSPECTS. The following motions were carried:— “That it is apparent that Great Britain find% it necessary to restrict her imports of meat, but that any restriction on the export of meat from New Zealand must prove disastrous to the whole Dominion, and therefore, the New Zealand Sheepowners and Farmers’ Federation most strongly urges upon the, Government the necessity of developing markets with other countries, and, more particularly with the United States. We are of the opinion that no other .subject is at present of such outstanding importance to the Dominion. “That the Meat Export Control Board be requested to arrange for a research institute to be financed and controlled by the meat industry through the Meat Board. “That the Meat Board be requested to set up a super or chilled grade of beef for. export. “That the unemployment levy on incomes be placed on the same basis as income tax. “That this meeting definitely opposes the Scientific and Industrial Research Amendment Bill.” The meeting confirmed an arrangement entered into with the Prime Minister regarding research into the manufacture and general treatment of wool fibre, and agreed to the amount allocated to New Zealand, provided other wool producing countries within the Empire, including the United Kingdom, paid their quota on a sheep proportion basis in the following proportions:—Australia 110 millions of sheep, £10,500; South Africa, 45 millions, £4,300; New Zealand 29 millions, £2,800; United Kingdom, 26 millions, £2,400. The meeting also passed a resolution protesting against the provisions of the Mining Act Amendment Bill, which, it was felt, encroached on the rights of the owners of freehold land. A resolution was passed expressing the view that the certification of rams proposed by the Romney and Corriedale Breed Societies was a move which should he followed by other Breed Societies. Mr H. D. Acland was re-elected president, and Messrs J. J. Jessepand E. Hay were re-elected vice-presi-dent and treasurer respectively.