MEAT PRODUCERS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1937, Page 6

MEAT PRODUCERS

ANNUACMEETING.

(Per Press Association—Copyright)

WELLINGTON, August 27. The annual meeting of the New Zea-, land Meat Producers’s Board is being held to-day. ; Mr-T. A.-Duncan (chairman) in his address said the Board had exercised its. usual care in the regulation of supplies of meat going to the British market. This lias been exceedingly difficult this year, owing to the lateness of the season and in arranging freight. Careful consideration was given to the spreading of supplies over as wide a geographical area,ns possible 'in Britain, having regard to fhe capacities of the respective markets. / •

Speaking of the quality, he said the premium enjoyed by New Zealand lamb over othef imported lamb, if calculated on the-whole output l would amount to a very considerable annual sum. Every eildeavour must be • made by .farmers to see that this premium was maintained or increased, especially aas other countries were gradually improving their quality. The more prime quality meat New Zealand could ship,’ the greater would be the permanent asset thereby created' in the enhanced reputation of dominion meat. MEIe commended tho interest being- taken by farmers •in the district lamb competition and referred' ■to the useful work A and P. Association- and -Freezing Companies were doing in arranging field days and ■co-operating-with the Board in connection'with the. competition.' ••••"’ He' gave chilled' beef export figures for 1935-36 a s 144,169 quarters and for 1936-37 season it: was estimated they would reach approximately 200,000 quarters.. He emphasised there was room for improved quality and it was imperative that the cattle sent along to the works should be thoroughly finished off. The question of adequate facilities to meet fully the requirements of this trade having regal'd to future expansion had been for some time engaging attention, of the Board which is in close touch with freezing companies, shipping companies and Railway Department. 11l regard to pork he said it was pleasing to note the Department of Agriculture ;had introduced a, national scheme for the development of the pig industry, which would he available to all ; farmers. A practical and qualified instructive service should do much >to improve the .general type and quality of pigs in New-.. Zealand. Porker pigs were particularly well thought of on Smitlifield’ market.f In fact in the opinion of the trade there was no better quality coming;,to the market. There was room ,for improvement in baconers and the Board-was- of the opinion the time was opportune for the standard of v Mrould%hW viewed. '

A new freight contract which commenced on September 1 last year for frozen and chilled meat and dairy produce represented approximately two and a, half per cent, increase, converted into sterling and payable in sterling in London.-

The chairman went on t-o refer to imports allocation agreement recently entered into-with the United Kingdom Government, and to United Kingdom treaty with Argentine, also to the active nroseeution of ,an advertising campaign and research: work.-