DOMINION PRODUCE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 146, 5 June 1936, Page 11

DOMINION PRODUCE

Improvement in Prices Generally

GOOD PROSPECTS •‘The position as a whole for primcommodities, so long as New Zealand fanners continue to enjoy a reasonable liberty in selling their product, is very satisfactory, and there is very little to fear for the future,” This was the declaration of Sir William Perry, chairman of the Massey College council, when opening the fifth annual conference of sheep-breeders at the college. After welcoming the many delegates and commending the enthusiasm displayed, Sir William offered a brief review of marketing conditions. ‘‘Since we met here last year, rarmIng p respects have improved. The prices for dairy produce, meat and wool are now on a better plane. Many farmers who were struggling last year now have their heads above water. We owe that really to the prosperity of Britain, on wnom we depend for our prices to a largo degree. ‘‘The meat position, with which 1 am very closely in touch, is very satisrae- • tory. The lamb prices for February, March and April of this year are, competed with these months last better respectively by jd, jd, aiji id. It is just that margin that saves the farmer the extra amount in his pocket Strengthens prosperity in the country. ‘‘The question of quotas is still a five one. We have been able to send practically all the meat we produce to Britain, except for a difficulty about tome beef a while ago. “V.'e are sailing pretty close to the wind. We are filling our quotas almost to the limit, although the Meat Board once doubted if we could do that. It is astonishing how the killing figures have leapt »p; they will be very high this year. ‘‘There hss been a tremendous expansion in the pork industry. For the year ending April 30, we killed 15,000 more porkers and 75,000 more Daeo’iers than the year before. There need be no fear that we will not fill the allowances made by the Old Country. The chilled beef production has also expanded since this time last year. The figures for chilled beef and frozen have almost reversed. Last year (until April 30) we exported 28,000 quarters Of chilled beef; this year the figure was 83,000 quarters. On the other hand the export of frozen beef declined from Jf4,000 quarters to 102,0’0. hr The frozen beef is nominally selling ' better than chilled at present. But there is an acute shortage in Britain, and contracts with the British Array are absorbing a lot of the frozen product. ‘‘Australia has recently gi.-en Britain a preferential tariff on certain erm modifies, and Japan we know has taken exception. This is very interesting to r e, because although not engaged In the meat negotiations in London, I know what direction they take. It is very important to New Zealand that Australia should improve her position with Britain. Britain is adamant that she must treat all the Dominions alike Tn the regard of British statesmen this country stands very high, but they will not make separate agreements. So that my interpretation of Australia’s action is that it must help this country considerably. What reactions Japan will make, however, I cannot predict. ‘‘lt is not the high prices that have ruled for wool this season, so much a.the fact that it is all sold and likely to go into rensumption. This is a splendir angury for the next few years There have been in the past too many bales left lying about, both here and In the world’s markets. I think the keen demand assures better price,s for the future. ‘‘The present prices at Home for butter are quite heartening, and. with the bountiful season for grass, farmers must come out fairly well. Personally,' It has teen one of the best seasons 1 have known,” concluded the speaker, who said he would volunteer no opinion on guaranteed prices.