FLOW OF MEAT FROM DOMINION TO U.K. NEEDS TO BE INCREASED URGENTLY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22951, 20 May 1949, Page 4

FLOW OF MEAT FROM DOMINION TO U.K. NEEDS TO BE INCREASED URGENTLY

SUGGESTIONS DEBATED

WHILE New Zealand' had increased its flow of meat to the United Kingdom in 1948, the need for even greater efforts in the future were stressed by the chairman, Mr. F. E, Humphreys, in his report to the annual meeting of the Gisborne branch of Federated Farmers, held yesterday.

He asked if incentive were not lacking, and made certain suggestions that were thrown open to debate in the latter stages of the meeting.

The critical state of the meat position in the United Kingdom and the obvious need for farmers in the Dominion to strain to the utmost to increase production was stressed by Mr. Humphreys. The ration scale at Home now was down to 'ls Id per person per week, he said and an English woman he had met during a recent visit to Australia told him she had eaten as much food in one day in -Sydney as she would have been entitled to in a week in England.

and Mr. Humphreys asked if the time was really opportune. From what he gathered in Australia, it appeared that New Zealand could quite well forget about chillers for some time and concentrate on producing a heavier weight of carcase where possible.

If the premium were raised to 8001 b. it would be necessary to hold the cattle a little longer to make between, say, 720 and 7801 b and the farmers would have the incentive if they knew they would get a little more for them.

Prospects Never Brighter “It was pleasing to see that as the result of the aid-to-Britain campaign New Zealand in 1948 increased the amount of meat exported to the United Kingdom.” he continued. ‘‘However, New Zealand was the only country to do that, the others all showed a decline. Last year New Zealand exported to England more meat than any other single country. ‘‘The prospects for meat have never been brighter. The prices

Restrictions on Weight

He thought it better to cut out too many restrictions in regard to weight, particularly in view of the plight of people in the Old Country. Even in the Meat Board fat lamb competition unless lambs weighed about 331 b they did not have much chance. Surely, he thought, the 36 to 381 b lambs were a better proposition from the point of view of the consumers in the United Kingdom. “Wool has been very buoyant, with the prices higher than ever before and probably higher than we will see them again. I don’t know,” Mr. Humphreys added. “Prospects for wool do not seem to be as good as they are for meat. Woollen goods have been catching up with the demand. Woolgrowers must look ahead for some degree of stability in their industry. “Speaking generally, I feel convinced that the country. soon will have to face up to a readjustment of values. “Up to now it has been comparatively easy for farmers to keep within their budgets because of the high prices. Balancing of Budget “There will come a time When the prices for primary export produce will remain at a level and then start to fall. By that time the farmer will find it difficult to balance his budget as costs will not go down as quickly as the prices for his export produce. “The price being paid the dairyfarmer today is not quite covered by the price received from England and 4s 6d per cwt for butter comes out of the dairy pool account. In a period of buoyant prices I don’t think they should be drawing on stabilisation funds,” Mr. Humphreys said. “Whatever Government is in power after the next election it will have more serious problems to face than anything up to now,” he continued. “We are supposed to be non-political and non-party, and that is all very well up to a point, but we should endeavour to get a Government in power that will look after our interests—no matter what the Government is called.” Value of the Competitions

may drop slightly, but the demand will be there for a long time.”

Mr. Humphreys explained that the populations of the various countries were increasing more quickly than the amount of meat produced. At the present rate, Australia had only to increase her population by 3,000,000 and she would have no meat at all for export. She would require the present surplus for home consumption.

He asked whether the producer got the necessary incentive and guidance to give of his best. There was the question of high taxation, one that required little explanation, and the premium paid for beef up to 7201 b. Prominence also was given to chiller beef competitions at the various shows,

Called upon to give his comments on some of the statements made by the chairman, Mr. S. D. Reeves said that in regard to beef and chiller competitions he might be right. However, it would be possible to have classes at the shows for heavier weights if it was desired. With regard to the lamb competitions, they made an excellent showing and were a fine advertisement for New Zealand on the London market In the United Kingdom, consumers wanted fat and meat, but not together. The meat ration was small enough without a lot of fat - 1 „ , Regarding premiums for heavier weights, Mr. Reeves said the matter of price was all tied up by the Stabilisation Commission and he thought little progress could be made there. In any event, when you started to pay more for heavy-weight beef, lamb, or anything you had to be careful that you were not paying for fat instead of meat. With the lighter animal there was a turnover. Weight in a carcase did not necessarily mean increased weight of meat for Britain. "In regard to beef, you can get quality with a little more weight and it would help production,” added Mr. Humphreys. “There are few purely cattle farmers in New Zealand as they are known in Australia and we do have to work the cattle to some extent before we can consider getting them away.” Mr. Humphreys was congratulated by Mr. S. McGuinness on his comprehensive and interesting report.