MEAT TRADE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 28 August 1925, Page 6

MEAT TRADE.

THE COMING SEASON. PROSPECTS CONSIDERED GOOD. I.BJ XELIiGKAI'U. —FBEBB ASSOCIATION. WEDDING-TON, Aug. 27. The third annual meeting of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Control Board was held to-day, Mr D. Jones presiding. Reviewing the year; the chairman said it had been most satisfactory for the sheep farmer. Wool was, on the whole, satisfactory, especially for those who got in early. So far as the prices of meat were concerned, the farmer had good reason for satisfaction. Never previously had prices been so regular and stea&y and, in fact, in general never so high; 'Consumption was satisfactory. Advices had been received that all the New Zealand lamb would be consumed before tbe Australian came on tlie market. The whole export of New Zealand meat had greatly increased, and he quoted returns to prove that at least 6,500,000 freight carcases would be exported this year, or 800,000 carcases more than last year, a carcase being taken at 601 b. Beef had caused anxietv, and this especially affected the North Island. The" hoard had endeavoured to cut the cost of beef wherever possible, and beef was better than last year for producers. This year 76,500 more carcases of pork had Been shipped than last year. So far as chilled beef was concerned; the board was closely following the matter. The experience of Australia had not satisffed the hoard that it was a commercial success. However, there was a strong probability of there_ being experimental shipments of chilled beef this coming export season. There was not the great difference in price between chilled and frozen that some people might imagine. While it would be an advantage to have a chilled beef trade, it had yet to he proved to he a commercial success. However, they were going to test the matter. Sheep were increasing, and mutton production had taken an upward move. There was going to be a substantial increase in lambs for export: As to the regulation of shipment, it had been subject to very serious criticism, but the investigations of the British commission had justified the policy pursued. ' The need for faster vessels was evident, and new vessels now being built would reduce the time of transport considerably. Mr J. IT. .Toll (Hawke’s Bay) seconded the adoption of the report. The question of grading was raised bv Mr W. G. Sherratt (Gisborne), who pointed out that 1 while sheep were gra’ded under the names of breeds beef was graded merely as “first” and “second.” This did not recompense thp producer who devoted time to turning out well-shaped carcases and good strains of beef cattle.

Dealing with the question of- freezing on owners’ account raised by a questioner, the chairman said it was largely a matter of prices. While prices were at a high level farmers were satisfied to sell to an exporter. No law could be laid down, and farmers must use their own judgment. In connection with the Continental trade the big exporting firms were doing very great service to the producers of New Zealand. It was suggested that they bad reached a time when they should be able to go into the handling and selling of their own meat. It could certainly he done, but why do it when it was being equally well and cheaply done by others? Thev were getting a “good deal” now. The policy of the hoard was to get the highest price for their produce. The report and balance-sheet were adonted. Mr J. D. Hall (Hororata) urged the establishment of a super grade of lamb

that would be known without question as the world’s best. The chairman said that the institution of a real super grade would make first grade lamb second grade and the existing second - grade third grade. Ilf was a question whether it would 'he wise for the meeting to pass an opinion without fuller consideration. After discussion the meeting was opposed to a motion on the lines of Mr Hall’s suggestion.