PIG BREEDERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 285, 30 October 1934, Page 8

PIG BREEDERS

MEETING OF COUNCIL

REPRESENTATION ON MEAT BOARD SOUGHT.

A meeting of the council of the New Zealand Pig Breeders’ Association was held in Palmerston North to-day, when Mr A. R. Gudopp (New Plymouth) presided. Others present were Messrs G. S. Ross (Te Puke), A. T. Rogers (Ngaruawahia), J. A. Russell ' (Palmerston North), AV. P. Bickers (Feilding), J. D. Galpin (Canterbury), R. Chilcott (Frankton Junction) and P. Nielsen (Tiakitahuna). Mr Rogers, who was taking his seat on the council for the first occasion, was extended a welcome by the chairman.

The Meat Producers’ Board, in acknowledging the council’s suggestion that all pigs exhibited in the pork and bacon classes at the .Royal Show he bred by the exhibitor, considered that the suggestion was an excellent one.—Appreciation was voiced by the chairman of the attitude the board had adopted. Mr Russell commented upon the attitude of the Dairy Board in respect to the pig industry. Originally, he said, the hoard had not been prepared to assist the pig industry, contending that it was outside the province of the board. Now that the pig industry was firmly established, it desired to take over the control. He formally moved that the council express its appreciation of all that the Meat Board had done for the pig industry, particularly in respect to advertising in England. Mr Ross commented that the Meat Board could have done more for the industry in respect to shipping rates, and iii his opinion the pig industry should have direct representation on the Meat Board.

Mr Russell: I agree with you. Mr Bickers supported Mr Ross, adding that the Dairy Board had its hands full with the dairy produce.

Mr Nielsen stated that while the Meat Board had contended that it was anxious to as much for the pig industry as for beef and mutton, it had not carried it out in practice. The members should be fully alive to all branches of the meat trade and handle pigs on the same basis. The chairman, in seconding Mr Russell’s motion, stated that the Meat Board had certainly taken a greater interest in the pig industry of late. Mr Russell commented that .the charge had been made that the board members were taking little interest in the pig trade, hut there were members who were bigger breeders than any of those in the room, and it was hardly likely that they would jeopardise their own interests.

Mr Chilcott remarked that the board had rendered valuable assistance in respect to the pig recording scheme.

Mr Russell: The board paid out five times as much as it received from the pig industry. Mr Russell’s motion was then put to the meeting and carried, the hope being expressed that the Meat Board would continue to handle the pig products on the same basis as the meat trade. On the motion of Mr Ross, seconded by Mr Bickers, it was decided to make application to the Minister of Agriculture for direct representation on the Meat Board, it being pointed out that the industry was becoming increasingly important.