THE PIG INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 177, 30 June 1925, Page 3

THE PIG INDUSTRY.

NEW MARKETING SCHEME. EXPLAINED AT RAXGIOTU. A meeting of the Rangiotu branch of the Dairy Farmers’ Union was held last night, to hear an address by the representative of a mercantile concern relative to a scheme which it is promulgating for the marketing of pigs. Mr W. H. Gimblett, chairman of the local branch of the union, presided. Speaking prior to the commencement of the address, Mr Gimblett said that there had long been required better machinery to cope with the marketing problems of the pig industry. “We are not, satisfied with the manner in which the pig industry has been conducted in the past,” he stated. “Prices have been erratic and unstable and we have not known where we stood. Most of the dairy farmers to-day are not interested in the pig industry because of the uncertainty of the market. We have had no guide at all because wo have been in the hands of proprietary concerns—not co-operative organisations.’ He proceeded to stale that, as the industry grew, different organisations bad come into the market and in this district, there were three big proprietary concerns and a further one was commencing operations. “We have been just beating about the bush when the pig industry could be one of the greatest, in the Dominion,” said Mr Gimblett. “We should take an active part in trying to improve the conditions of the farmers interested in the industry.” Proceeding, Mr Gimblett stressed the necessity for the farmers acting unitedly. “What we want is true unionism,” ho stated. “I would like to see the dairy farmers stand solidly together and light out, these matters which come before us from time to time.” STABILISING THE MARKET. The representative of the concern mentioned then addressed the meeting. “I have given this matter a deal of thought,” lie said, “and have gone into it: fairly thoroughly. I do not think, though, that you can altogether eliminate the proprietary element.” The curing of bacon, he said, was a specialised business in which private enterprise was greater than co-operative company enterprise. That side of the business would have to be left in proprietary hands, but the question remaining was how to keep the proprietary concern in order. He thought, it advisable that pigs should be bought not on the hoof but on the book and he had to place before the meeting a scheme which would tend to stabilise the market and give the producer the benefit of direct exportation and the realisation of the value of non-exportable pigs. When killed, lie said, pigs at present were graded in three classes—exportable, non-exportable, and condemned. His concern would act as a brokerage medium for the export of pigs for overseas trade and for the purchase of non-exportable pigs, the farmers to retain their usual .channels [chiefly dairy companies) of collecting pigs, and from there send them to a central point for killing and later export under a proper grading system. Most of the companies approached had taken up with enthusiasm the idea of this comprehensive scheme for the export, of pigs and the sale by the speaker’s firm as brokers of all animals classed as non-exportable. Already sufficient pigs were offering to make the scheme workable in this district, lie said. More fully detailing the scheme itself, he stated that Feilding was deemed to be the best centre for killing. All the dairy companies would have to do would be to supply the connecting link between tho farmer and the brokerage organisation-the concern which the speaker represented would finance the scheme and attend to the killing and export, making advances as stated. There would, he said, be no difficulty about finding a market for exported pigs, more particularly in such countries as England, U.S.A. and Italy. The New Zealand bacon in England was held in high regard and was generally deemed to be superior to tho American product, but they must keep tho standard up. Recent reports from U.S.A. furnished the information that that country just now was materially short of pigs owing, probably, to the high prices for corn there resulting in the farmers selling their corn rather than feed it to pigs. An assurance regarding prices could not bo given, but it was deemed that for some time to come the, -consumption would exceed the demand. It was thought advisable not to cure in New Zealand, but to send pigs Home whole, at least until the question of curing had been thoroughly investigated. It would naturally take time to “make a name for New Zealand brands,” and the best results could only bo achieved under a comprehensive scheme. Over-fat pigs did not, he mentioned, tin;! such a good market as the long, lean type, except possibly in Italy, and endeavours were being made to broaden the market for fat pigs in that country. The operation of the scheme, he thought, would stabilise the market, especially in the Dominion. The whole thing w-as a proposal that there be one brokerage organisation to accept pigs from the dairy factories and kill and market them to the best advantage to the farmer, instead of having the present haphazard methods. Each farmer’s pigs, of course, would be branded and kept trace of in the general scheme. The speaker answered several questions, and at the conclusion of the address was accorded a voto of thanks on the motion of the chairman. Mr Gimblett alluded to the necessity for farmers preserving the utmost freedom of action. He thought the scheme placed before the meeting the best which had yet been presented, and deserving of support. FROZEN MEAT MARKET. Levin and Go., Ltd., have received the following cable from their London agents, dated 26th .Tune, 1925: —Frozen meat quotation, (prices on a delivered basis, i.e., including storage charges, cartage, tolls, etc.) : Down lambs 28-42’s lljd per lb, best North Island 28-42’s lljd, ordinary North Island 28-42’s llid, second quality lambs llid. Best North Island wether sheep 48-64’s 7£d, 64-72’s 6jd, ordinary North Island wether sheep 48-64’s 7id. North Island ewes 48-64’s sjjd, 64-72’s 4|d. New Zealand prime ox beef. 160-22 C’s, 4d. As compared with last week’s quotations, heavy wethers; also ewes 64-72’s, are id per ib dearer. Ewes 48-64’s, id per lb cheaper, while beef is id per lb dearer. The market for lamb is steady and for wethers has an upward tendency ;ewes no change. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Coy., Ltd., have received the following cablegram fnom their London house under date 26th instant: —Lamb, ll|d per lb (average). Mutton, wether and maiden ewe, light 7jd per lb; heavy, 61d per lb; ewe. light s£d per lb; heavy 5Jd per lb. Market slow.