THE SHORTAGE OF PIGS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 48, 9 February 1920, Page 5

THE SHORTAGE OF PIGS.

In 1890 there were 207,000 pigs in this countrv. In 1910 they bad increased to 348,700. Last year, 1919, there were only 235,300. Th® Government Abstract of Statistics for December quotes the price of heavy pigs at £B, and that of porkers at £5. Bacon is quoted up to 1/8 a ?5-, ham at 1/10, fresh pork up to 1/4. These statistics show on the one hand the decreasing number of pigs in the country, and on the other, the remunerative price that the producer receives for.the live animal as well as the cost of bacon, hau:, and pork to the consumer. These statistics are decidedly significant. It mav well aopeal to the farmer that to breed and fatten the pig is profitable, and the whole cornmunitv wijl support the well warranted address of Air. J. G. W. Aitken, M. L.C., who, when speaking at the N.Z. Meat Packing and Bacon Co s annual meeting in Wellington, pointed out that the manufacture of dried milk in many districts reduced the supply of pigs. “Until such times,” said Mr. “as the producer takes up pig fattening in a systematic manner, and looks to other than the dairy for food supplies, we cannot hope for much improvement in the supply of pork. Il is to be regretted that more attention is not given to this iniportan industry. For some time past importation of hams and bacon haw been made in order to try to meet New Zealand’s requirement. The highest rates ever paid in New Zealand were given for pigs last season. In comparing the number ot pigs available in New- Zealand I fipu that 40 years ago the total was 207,iW, comparied with 235,347 tor 1919, while 28 years ago the total 308,812. So that’, in comparing tne number available to-day, I find we are approximately 73,465 snort* of quantity avaTf&We as far oack as 1891—28'years ago—while tne increase in the number of sheep for the same period was 7,700,368, ana cattle increased by 2,203,647. in other words, the pig .supply in New Zealand has decreased to the extent of 23 per cent, while the increase in cattle is 265. per cent, and the increase in sheep is 42 per cent. But, seeing New Zealand s pork 6 reducts are practically sold in the lominiou, the decrease in the pig supply in relation to the population is very much greater, for in 1891 the number of pigs available per head of the population was 0.49.; in 1919 this had decreased to 0.21 per head of population.”