N.Z. MEAT EXPORTS

Grey River Argus, 26 November 1942, Page 6

N.Z. MEAT EXPORTS

MUST BE DRIED SHIPPING STRINGENCY P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 25. An indication that “quite a lot of meat might have to be dehydrated in the coming season,” was given by a North Canterbury representative on the Electoral Committee of the Meat Producers’ Board, Mr Gilbert Grigg, when speaking to-day at a meeting of the North Canterbury District Executive of the Farmers’ Union. Mr Grigg said that last year the British Government had asked for the dehydration of meat. One condition was that the British Government should pay a price usual to that for frozen meat carcases f.o.b. So, actually, there would be no loss on the dehydrated meat. Another condition was that the British Government should pay a certain percentage of the cost of the dehydrating works, and the Meat Poo! would pay for the rest. The Meat Pool was to own the works. “The British Government stipulated that, as long as we could ship frozen meat, it did not want dehydrated meat,” said Mr Grigg. “The position is that we may have to dehydrate quite a lot.” MEAT POOL SURPLUS. NEAR £600,000 FOR PAST SEASON. WELLINGTON, Nov 25 For the 1941-42 season, £597,000 in the special account known as the Meat Pool is announced by the Meat Producers’ Board. The pool was created in connection with the Government purchase of export meat, the arrangement being that producers should receive the same opening prices as for the previous season but forgo any increased prices resulting from increases granted by the British Government or by increases at the t’me in the value of pelts. was arranged that any such increases should be pooled to maintain ewe mutton at a fair value. The New Zealand Government accepted the liability for purchase of the normal exportable kill, which involved a he|iivy contingent liability because of possible surplus production in the light of shipping space available an,d overseas purchase agreements. The surplus was largely the result of the improved shipping position, helped bv an increase in price granted by the British Government, revenue from the resale of tallow and higher values for pelts. Debits of £667,000 were caused by losses on canning ewe mutton and boner beef, and interest, storage and insurance. Further, there was a' capital liability incurred by the Government. chargeable to the pool of £575,000 for emergency cool stores, ?nd cannery plants and buildings. This liability was to be written off in three annual amounts of £191,666. the eventual residual value of the assets to be a credit to the pool.