INCREASE WANTED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3283, 2 July 1943, Page 5

INCREASE WANTED

MORE PIG PRODUCTION STATEMENT BY MINISTER EFFORTS BY THE GOVERNMENT “ The Government has in no way shown a lack of interest or indifference to the welfare of the pig industry,” said the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, at the National Dairy Association’s Conference at Palmerston North. “ Every effort has been, made to ensure that conditions were made as favourable as possible under present circumstances to encourage pig production.” Mr Barclay refuted the statement made in the annual report of the National Dairy Association which in giving certain figures showing a drop in killings, accused the Government of lack of interest and indifference to the welfare of this aspect of the dairy industry. Not The Whole Story The Minister pointed out that these figures did not tell the whole stor.y. For instance, the figures given dealt only with killings for export, and in view of the demands of the Allied Forces in the Pacific for pork and becon, killings of pigs for export have dropped to a purely nominal figure. The actual total of all killings of pigs for the four months, October 1942 to January 1943, were 298.000 as against 346,000 for the same period in the previous year. This was a decrease of 14 per cent., but in view of the extensive change-over from butter to cheese last season, with the consequent need of rebuilding herds, this decrease is understandable. The payment last season of lid a lb. butterfat to compensate producers for changing

back to butter was partly made in recognition of the fact that income from pig production had fallen in respect of these suppliers. Price Entitled To “Upon the introduction of the Government’s economic stabilisation policy, one of my first tasks was to ensure that the pig producer received the just price he was entitled to on the basis of the actual payments received in the preceding twelve months, during which year he secured considerable benefit from the intense competition which took place to secure supplies, because of the rapidly expanding demand for pig products <n the Pacific Area. Reg Rations have now been issued backed by a Government purchase, which guarantees these prices to the -pig producer. I am satisfied on examination of the evidence that these prices are fair and compared with the prices ruling at the commencement of the war, are extremely favourable.

“I do not think for a moment that the granting of a high price to pig producers would substantially increase production, because there are other factors quite apart from price which have a definite determining influence. To the e> tent possible under the difficult circumstances now prevailing, every effort has been made to secure increased supplies of suitable feed and at reduced prices compared with those offering last year. To ensure that the pig producer secures a fair price for his product, that increased supplies of feed are made available and at lower prices, is as much as any Government can do or should be expected to do at the present time. Position Stable “I am fully aware that in the past the changing requirements of the United Kingdom have caused disorganisation and discouragement to pig producers, but the position is now relatively stable and here is a strong demand for pork and bacon supplies to meet requirements in the Pacific Area. The ■Government feels that it can justifiably call upon pig producers to do their utmost in the coming year, and I am sure that this appeal will net go unheeded.”