PIG-MEAT PRICES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32929, 26 November 1947, Page 6

PIG-MEAT PRICES

“ INCREASE NEEDED”

MR SUTHERLAND’S VIEWS

INCENTIVE TO PRODUCTION

Mr A. S- Sutherland, M.P. for Hauraki, asked the Minister of Agriculture, in the House of Representatives recently whether, in view of the drive for production and the need to make pig raising a profitable occupation, he would look into the question of an increase in the price of pig-meats. The recent rise of Id a lb. only equalled the subsidy that had now been withdrawn. In 1946, for the first six months of the year, New Zealand’s exports of pig-meat to Britain totalled 175,000 cwt., and in the same period this year the Dominion’s exports had fallen to 55,000 cwt.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Cullen, in reply stated that any decline in pig production was not on account of the price paid for pig-meats, ihut in the main was due to the fact that dairy farmers derived sufficient income from butterfat production, and were not dependent on pig farming to supplement their incomes. In 1939 the price of pork was 5 7-8 d a lb., and bacon hid a lb. Today the price of pork and bacon was 9d a lb., so ample monetary incentive had been given to promote pig production.

Mr Cullen stated that he would look into the question of the prices that were being paid to pig producers, and he would discuss the effect of such prices on pig production with the National Pig Industry Council. Canada had increased its production ■of pork to assist Britain during the war by 400 per cent., Mr Sutherland pointed out. But New Zealand had decreased production by over 50 per cent. Canada’s increase, he said, had been due to a payable price having been paid for the pig-meat. It was •time a substantial increase was paid in New Zealand. If that was done the output in New Zealand would double very soon. It was time the Minister of Agriculture gave the question his attention, Mr Sutherland said.