PORK EXPORT SUBSIDY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 7 January 1928, Page 7

PORK EXPORT SUBSIDY.

DEFENDED BY PRIME MINISTER

GOOD MARKET AT HOME,

Reference to the proposed subsidy on export pork was made by the Prime Minister in addressing settlers at Turiwiri and Ituawai (says the “Dominion.”) Mr Coates said that three or four years ago it was seen that tine re was a future for the pig industry of the Dominion. From inquiries made while in England he had found that New Zealand bacon and pork were the best imported into Britain. They were delighted with the Dominion’s products. Our climate would enable ms to produce pigs at such a price that w’e could compete witli Denmark. The Danish export of pigs was in excess of that of butter. Itwas possible to increase the export of. pork from New Zealand to even • oneha,f that of butter. What a help it would be to farmers! A subsidy ol £30.000 would not. do everything. Although it might be hard to defend the principle, they had, by assisting the apple growers, probably one million cases of apples for export thi,s season. The wheat industry had been assisted. and lie had decided to stand behind the pig industry and, help, if be could, to pull it out of its; difficulties. Mr Coates said, the meeting would he held in Wellington of representatives of the Dairv Contro Board, Meat Producers Board, the Pig Breeders’ Association, and the Government. Nothins had b?en decided a«i to how the subsidy would be applied. It might be used in reducing freights, or paid at so much per carcass. It would he sole-lv to assist the, export trade.