THE FREEZING INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 8 November 1934, Page 5

THE FREEZING INDUSTRY.

INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT.

The most striking feature of the statistics of the meat freezing industry in New Zealand is the increase in the number of persons finding employment in the industry, reports the Government Statistician. The monthly average of persons engaged in the industry was 7653, as compared with 6365 in 1932-33, the increase of Um being equal to 20 per cent. Ihe monthly maximum number of wageearning employees during the calendar year 1932 was 8008 (January), and in 1933, 9777 (February). The corresponding minima were 2989 in October, 1932, and 4040 in October, 1933. The chain system of employment, which is now operating to a large extent in meat freezing and preserving works, is mainly responsible for the large increase in the number of persons engaged. The total salaries and wages paid in 1933-34 were, however, 2 per cent, less than in the previous year. The cost of materials used and the value of products recorded increases of 19 per cent, and 18 per cent, respectively. A pleasing feature is the advance in "Added value" of £383,178. or 14 per cent., over the 1932-33 figure. The value of land, buildings, machinery, and plant declined by 2 per cent. The amounts paid by the various companies for the animals slaughtered and for incidental materials, _ and—where work is done on commission—the estimated value of the animals, for the three years 1931-32, 1932-33, and 1933-34, are given in the following table:

The cost of animals purchased for freezing or preserving during 1933-34 was 19 per cent, higher than the cost in 1932-33, while the value of animals frozen on owners’ account registered an increase of 21 per cent. The quantity of frozen mutton produced in 1933-34 declined by 25 per cent, as compared with 1932-33, but the value declined by 2 per cent. only. Frozen lamb produced dropped by 7 per cent, in quantity, but rose 15 per cent, in value. Beef showed definite advancements for both quantity and value, of 26 per cent, and 9 per cent, respectively.

Purchased Frozen for freezing on owners' Year. or preserving. ■P Account. £ 5,139,654 1931-32 ... 2,861,564 1932-33 ... 3,186,049 3,431,502 1933-34 ... 3,788,896 6,580,699