MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 216, 26 August 1927, Page 8

MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD

FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING NEW MEMBER ELECTED. Wellington, Aug. 25. The fifth annual meeting of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board was held in Wellington to-day, the chairman (Mr. D. Jones, M.P.) pre siding. The delegates constituting the electoral committee were also present from all parts bf the Do minion. With regard to pork, the geneiVl manager said the aim of the board was to have a uniform weight, tire English market preferring a certain weight of quarter and attention to this would mean a better return to shippers. The matter of making another class for Romney rams is to oe considered. A motion was carried that the Railway Department should be approached with a request that the carriage of fat stock should be improved. The chairman, in his review, said there was a good opening for New Zealand meat on the world's markets at the present time. There had been a record kill of lambs for the season —5.379,847 against 5.000,000 for the previous year and 4.750.000 the year before. It was worth while to cultivate the American market in order to take advantage of dire present embargo on South American shipments to the United States on account of foot and mouth disease Due to the enormous Quantities of chilled beef from South America sold in London at low prices. New Zealand prices realised at Smithfield as between this season and last had not been so favourable. Pelts and tallow also showed a reduction. Having regard to the increased cost of production. a substantial increase in the prices of wool was necessary before the pre-war level was reached. The loss in New Zealand through bidi bidi was estimated at £500.000 on fleece wool and £250.000 on slipe wool. Success was met with bv the board in making regular the shipment. of meat to England. Marked improvements bad been obtained through supervision in loading and discharging, meat being landed at Home in the same condition as it left New Zealand. Freight contracts had been made to 1930. 1 the first two years at a reduction of 74 per cent., and the third at 124 per cent, reduction, all based on the rates of the current contract. The shipping companies had also agreed to a 74 per cent reduction on the current contract, a saving to the hoard of £150.000. Altogether the reductions which the board had .been able to obtain in shipping freights since its inception on frozen meat, tallow and pelts represented a saving of £1,117.000 per season Reductions in insurance costs had amounted to 50 per cent, since 1922. the savings running into over £BO.OOO per annum. Cold storage reductions amounted to approximately £30.000 per annum

Messrs H. D. Acland (Christchurch). J. S Jessep (Wairoa). and William Perry (Masterton) were the retiring members under the Act, The first two re-elected. Mr J. Carr (Methven) being elected to Mr Perry's place The voting for the three vacancies was: J S. Jessep (Wairoa) 23 votes. H. D. Acland (Christchurch) 15 J Carr (Methven) 11. W. I’errv (Masterton) 13 J. (1 Coop (Little River) 7, A. Latter ( Blenheim) 3.