N.Z. MEAT PRODUCTION INCREASE NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22728, 28 August 1948, Page 8

N.Z. MEAT PRODUCTION INCREASE NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING

(P.A.) 'WELLINGTON, August 28. Tito killings of iamb this year will be a record of just over 11,950,000 carcases, compared with the previous record of 11.900,564 carcases attained two seasons ago. This was announced by the chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, Mr. G. 11. Grigg, at the annual meeting.

He added that it was hoped that the 4 12.000,000 mark would be reached, but that record would keep fora next year. Fat Lamb Trade The progress of the fat lamb trade had been nothing short of amazing. “In 25 years wo have increased our fat lamb production by over 7,000,000 carcases, or approximately 150 per cent. During the war lamb production increased by over 2,000,000 carcases, which in itself is a magnificent achievement. “Killings of sheep increased to approximately 2,500.000 carcases, nearly double the 1022-23 figure. “Export killings of quarter beef have also shown an amazing increase. In the 1922-23 season 500,000 quarters ot beef were exported and no improvement on this figure was recorded prior to the war. Last season a record figure of 1,000,000 quarters was reached—an increase of 100 per cent, ail of which have been recorded since tire commencement of the war. “On the debit side, we have, pig production which has fallen off considerably during the last few years. Figures for this year show some improvement on last year, and indicate that the turn in the tide has been reached, 130 Per Cent. Increase “Over-all, in 25 years the production of meat for export has increased by 130 per cent from 154,000 tons to over 300,000 tons. One hundred thousand tons of this increase was recorded in the last 10 years when conditions were all against production increases. “From various quarters and from time to time we hear that primary production is declining in the Dominion. We even hear suggestions that a commission should be set up to investigate the position. As far as the meat producers of the Dominion are concerned the figures speak tor themselves.

“I think (he effort over the difficult war years was nothing short of amazing. It was not in the field of meat production or, for that matter, in primary production that this country is failing. Need I say more?” concluded I\Tr. Grigg.