PIG MEATS

Grey River Argus, 15 May 1943, Page 4

PIG MEATS

SALE OF PORK PROHIBITED.

INITIAL PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS.

WELLINGTON, Mav I- 1

The total prohibition on the sale of pork, fresh, pickled, or cooked, other than bacon or ham or offals, tor an initial period of two months from Mav 20 was announced to-night by the Food Controller (Mr, J. E. Thomas). This step is one of a number being taken in order to spread the present shortage of supplies of pig mfcats equally between the civilian market and armed forces eontracts. Discussing these shortages, the Minister of Marketing (Mr. Barclay) in a statement also issued to-night, said that compared with the degree of rationing of pig meats In other countries, the proposed limitation was by no means severe, and he was confident that it would be readily accepted by the public particularly as the measure of their sacrifice was the extent to which our contracts tor supply to the men actually fighting in this war could be fulfilled. Mr. Barclay said that the Minister of Supply (Mr. Sullivan) had told him that the consumption of bacon and ham had risen so considerably in the past fifteen months that restrictive measures would become inescapable if supplies to the Allied forces dependent on the Dominion for subsistence requirements were to be maintained.

Mr. Barclay appealed to pig producers to increase their production particularly of baconer pigs to the greatest possible extent during the present season. He discussed the various factors, including the varying war situation, which had led to the curtailment of pork production in the past, but emphasised that with the spread of the wax' to the Pacific a reversal of past policy had become necessary, and there was again an urgent and very substantial demand for pig meats. The Government was so concerned with the present shortage that to encourage farmers to carry the maximum number of pigs during the Winter months the price schedule would be raised for this period. Arrangements had also been made for the importation during the next few months of an additional five thousand tons of stock meal, so that ample quantities would be available. Mr. Barclay further announced, on behalf of Mr. Sullivan, that to assit in placing the necessary ceiling on. civilian consumption-it had become necessary to register all bacon curers throughout the Dominion and to establish a sales quota on each curer. Special arrangements are being made for farmers who have been in the habit of curing, or having cured pigs for their own domestic use. It is oiiiciallv announced that m addition to the other categories of pork, frozen pork, is included in the list for which there is a total prohibition on sale for the initial period of two months from May 20.