MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 August 1924, Page 8

MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD.

DELEGATES ELECTED. The returning officer announces that the following have been elected as delegates on the electoral committee of the New Zealand Meat Producers Board, which will assemble in Wellington on. the 28th August to consider the annual r'port and statement of accounts, and elect the producers representatives oil the board:— « Auckland district.—C. K. Wilson (Pio Pio), EL E. Wo rep (Whangarei). Hawke’s Bay-Gisborne district.—Edward Averill (Hastings), H. M. Campbell (Napier), It. S. Chadwick (Dannevirke), J. C. Field JHomebush, Gisborne), Patrick Pattuilo (Napier), W. G. Sherratt- (Gisborne). Wellington-West Cdast district.—K. W. Dalrymple (Bulls), -J. M. James (Masterton), George L. Marshall (Marton). William B. Matheson (Eketahuna), Hugh Morison (Greytown). Miarlborough-Nelson-Westland district.: —William G. Rudd (Blenheim), Alexander Thomson (Ward). Canterbury-Kaikoura district.—H D Acland (Mount Peel). William T. Lili (Ashburton), It. M. D. Morton (Tai Tapu), John Trotter (Fairlie), D. W. Westenra (Duhsandel). Otago district.—James Begg (Dunedin), Duncan Cameron (Papakaio), W. J. A. McGregor (Birchwood). Alex. arnler McKenzie (Otahuti, Southland), J. T>. Devie (Crookston).

MEAT TRADE ON THE OON-

TINENT

r A letter just received by the New Zealand Meat Producers'' Board .from its representative on the Continent contains interesting information relating to the condition of the meat market. The letter i s dated July 7, 1924, from Hamburg, and contains the following :

During June there was little change in the meat market; prices for live stock and the wholesale meat prices remained about the same. There was a greater demand for prime quality cattle; top prices advanced considerably. A fair quality of live cattle is imported and finds its way to the larger towns inland, where it is sold for immediate slaughter. I notice a greater supply of South African frozen mutton in the shops. Mutton has never bee'n much consumed here r probably the poor quality of the fresh killed meat has never given consumers a chance to form proper judgment. The Argentine mutton displayed is certainly better than much of the local stuff, but is a long way behind New Zealand m quality. The consumer will require to be educated a good deal yet before he can appreciate New Zealand mutton and is prepared to pay a better price for it. Beef, veal and pork are mainly consumed. The retail prices are a little higher on the whole than those of 1913, although the live-stock prices are less. This might be accounted for through the higher charges for rates and taxes all businesses have to bear. The agrarian interests are continuing their efforts to get the import of frozen meat limited to a certain quantity or to get a duty put upon it. I have before me a very able reply to one of the leading articles on the subject, from which it would appear that, so long as the present Government is in power, no change in the legislation which permits free import of frozen meat till 1933 will take place. Hides and skins are improving in prices. The market, was depressed through export restrictions. The recent improvement is shown in the fact that I have inquiries from dealers for New Zealand salted hides. London prices could be obtained here and extra charges saved. Direct offers from New Zealand should be able to compete. The economic condition generally is very dull still. Owing to the high discount rate and the shortage of credit a great many bankruptcies have taken place. Most of the mushroom growths that flourished during the inflation period have been weeded out. On the whole a happier tone is coming into all business rela tions, and it is generally expected that when the Dawes report has come into the position will be materially eased.