“LOSS ON EVERY BEAST”

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 9 March 1934, Page 5

“LOSS ON EVERY BEAST”

BRITISH BEEF INDUSTRY PLIGHT OF PRODUCERS. INCREASES IN IMPORTS. SUPPLIES FROM DOMINION. (United Pr<«3 Association—By Electrio Telegraph Copyright). LONDON, March 8.

The grave plight of the British heef producers is being given prominence by the “Daily Telegraph” which says the fanners are losing £'3 on every beast sold. “Experts in the industry are baffled,’’ the paper says, “at the failure of the cuts in imports to affect home pieces; moreover increases in imports from the Dominions have partly offset the quota reductions from South America. Under the Ottawa agreement there was an understanding that imports of New Zealand beef would be approximately the same as in 1932-33, but New Zealand sent GO per cent, more in the year 1933. Canada also undertook to keep down exports of Jive cattle to the level of the first quarter of 1933. yet imports in January, 1934. alone were nearly twothirds of the total for the whole quarter of 1933. The big increases are neeessarilv affecting the prices of home beef. “Another disquieting feature is the .increased export of cattle from Northern Ireland, suggesting that-Free State cattle are being sold to Ulster and exported thence to Britain. “Lastly the prices of chilled beef are rising l steadily but the expected rise in home beef has not followed. Some authorities think the improvement in the quality of chilled beef is affecting retail buying. Housewives are willing to pay a small premium for superior, fresh, home beef, but not what the British grazier wants. “Some authorities suggest a. guaranteed price for home beef, the scheme being worked, similarly to the wheat quota, with money for the guarantee by a levy on all imported beef.”

CHILLED MEAT TRADE

AUSTRALIAN OPPORTUNITY

SYDNEY,

March S

Sir Thomas Robinson, a director of the Now Zealand Shipping Co., Ltd., interviewed to-day regarding chilled meat, declared that Australian cattle breeders had a unique opportunity to capture the London chilled beef market. He expressed the opinion that anv extension of meat works here should provide for killing and chilling at the ship’s side. Sir Thomas emphasised the necessity of improving the breeds. He added that Argentine and River Plate shippers had always endeavoured to breed cattle which would reach* maturity and be fit for the British market at an earlier age than it was customa?*- to kill cattle in Australia. The need for care in breeding, however, was immediate.

Tn order to assist the development of export trade in New South Wales it is officially announced that an all round reduction of l-16d a lb. will be made in the freezing charges for mutton. lamb, beef, pork, and veal at New South Wales abattoirs beginning to-morrow.