MEAT GRADING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32519, 20 December 1944, Page 5

MEAT GRADING

OPINION OF MINISTER

REPLY TO FARMERS

AN ADVANTAGE TO PRODUCER

Mr James Thorn MP. recently received from Mr G. Buchanan, acting for a meeting of Paeroa farmers, a telegram urging that meat grading should be abolished because of apparent harmful effects on New Zealand. overseas trade, and stating that in the event of an unsatisfactory reply the farmers concerned were “prepared to take appropriate action.” Mr Thorn advises that he submitted. this to the acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon A. H. Nordmeyer, and has received the following reply:— “With reference to the attached telegram addressed to you by Mr G. Buchanan of Paeroa, urging the abolition of meat grading, I have to advise that an analysis of the facts of the position shows that the apprehension of thp farmers concerning the effect of grading on our overseas trade and the economy of the country is not well founded. Demand For First Grade “Taking first the question of the effect of grading upon the amount of first grade meat available for export, concerning which there has been much misconception, it is clear from the official killing returns for the main centres that if the grading scheme has any effect on the demand for first grade meat this has been in the directidnh of. steadying the demand rather -than increasing it. For example in Wellington the proportion of wetlU ers and maiden ewes (first grade mutton) killed during period November 1943 to July 1944' (i.e., since the introduction of grading) l increased by 18 per cent, over the same period in Auckland, where there was no grading. In the case of beef, the proportion of oxen and heifers '(first 'grade beef) killed in both Wellington and Auckland increased by 10 per cent, in each case over the same period 1 . Export Position “It is clear from the foregoing that there are no grounds for the assumption that the introduction of grading for the local market will have a detrimental effect on the quality of meat available for export. On the other hand, by constituting an equitable and orderly basis for commercial transactions, the grading scheme is a matter of vital importance to producers, for it establishes the definite grades of quality which protect the producer against the practice of the buyer depreciating the grade or quality of the beasts he purchases in order to obtain them at the lowest possible price. In a case of this kind', in the absence of the buyer is always in a stronger position and the producer is always at a disadvantage. Advantage to Producer “So far as the economy of the country is concerned, in the final analysis the effect of the grading scheme can be determined only on the basis of whether or not it benefits the people of New Zealand. As. stated above, grading is definitely to the advantage of the producer, and to the consumer it is. obviously very economical since it is the only means of ensuring that first grade prices will not be paid for second grade, or even third grade meat. There is overwhelming pressure from various consumer interests such as women’s organisations, trade unions and co-oper-ative societies, urging that grading should be made universal at the earliest possible date as a means of protecting consumers against exploitation. It is necessary to recognise that particularly under policy of stabilisation, the position of the producers cannot be considered with complete disregard for the interests of the consumers.

Farmer’s Union Resolution

“That this fact is recognised by the producers is soundly evidenced by the following resolution passed by the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Farmer’s Union; —

“We are in favour of the .principle of stabilisation but consider that the previous attempts and failures of stabilisation should point to the provision of standards of quality in both goods and services.”

.“In view of the circumstances involved, there seebs to be no doubt that the maintenance and extension of the grading scheme is in the best interests of both producers and consumers and in the public interest generally which is, of course, the cardinal consideration with which the

Government is concerned. Consequently, the Government has decided to extend the grading of all albbattoir districts as from the beginning of next year.”