FOR WOMEN N.Z.’s Record Consumption Of Meat And Milk

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 October 1948, Page 8

FOR WOMEN N.Z.’s Record Consumption Of Meat And Milk

Now that meat rationing has ceased, the people of New Zealand might set an even higher world record for meat-eating than that which they have'already established. In spite of the decline in dairy production, in New Zealand, the people of the Dominion also hold the world record for milk-drinking. Before the recent war, and again last year, more meat was eaten and more milk drunk on a population basis in New Zealand than in any other country of the world. These facts are revealed by figures issued by the International Emergency Food Council.

Last year, the average New’ Zealander drank 53.8 gallons of liquid rnilk—more than a gallon a week — •and, in spite of rationing, ate 262 lb of meat —more than 551 b a week. Before the war, the figures were even higher—s7.s gallons of milk and. 270 lb of meat.

In milk consumption today, the people of Switzerland occupy second place to New Zealand with 46.4 gallons a head a year. Both the United States and Canada have increased their consumption during the last 10 years, with the average American consuming 6.3 gallons more annually and the average Canadian 3.5 gallons more. In the United Kingdom the figures show an increase of over, eight gallons.

United Kingdom 26.3 18.1 In meat consumption, New Zealand leads the next highest consumer, Argentina, by 271 b a head. Figures ftfr all South American countries, including Argentina, show a decline from pre-war averages. Commenting on this fact, A. J. Mills and Company, Ltd., Tooley street merchants, London, state: —“It has been reported that the greater spending power of the South American worker was leading to increases in meat consumption and there would

be a loss of meat for export in the future. The figures would appear to contradict this theory, and apparent-? ly the South American countries must still loo’k for outlets for their meat production as in the past.’’ Comparative meat consumption figures per caput during 1947 and pre-war are:— 1947. Pre-war.

Greece is shown by the figures as being the lowest meat-consuming country in the world wih a consumption of 251 b in 1947, compared with 291 b before the war.

Comparative figures are:— Pre-war Gallons 1947. Gallons. New Zealand 53.8 57.5 Switzerland 4G.4 51.4 Canada 45.4 41.9 United States 39.1 32.8 Denmark 28.2 ' 27.2 ' Australia 27.1 23.6

lb. lb. New Zealand 262 270 Argentina 235 242 Australia 196 236 Darted States 155 126 .Denmark 138 133 Canada 127 113 United Kingdom 102 132 Chile 77 81 Germany 47 113 Brazil 38 56