MORE PIGS WANTED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 167, 14 June 1940, Page 4

MORE PIGS WANTED

MR A. H. COCKAYNE’S CALL. POLICY SUGGESTIONS. Speaking at the annual dinner, last evening, of the Wellington District Pig Council, ill - A. H. Cockayne, Director-General of Agriculture, gave a brief outline of the rise of the pig industry in New Zealand, its recent relative decline, and the opportunities now for greatly increased production; he also dealt with the possibilities ol attaining this end. Mr Cockayne was most optimistic that production could be vastly and quickly increased. The history ot the pig industry prior to the outbreak of the present war was referred to by Mr Cockayne at the outset. For many years the pig had been tolerated on a dairy farm as only a living destructor of by-products. In the ’twenties a small export trade developed and this was followed by the Pirr ltecording Clubs’ good work. In 1932 there were 6000 tons of pig flesh exported (1500 tons of bacon and 4500 tons of pork). In 1932 Britain decided (at the Ottawa Conference) to make a preference of the British fanner first, ' the Empire second and foreign countriesTthird'. The Empire countries were given a free hand for the export of bacon. From 1932 to 193 b the export of pig flesh from New Zealand rose to 29.000 tons, about half of this being bacon. Last year this had dropped back to 23.000 tons (12,000 tons being pork). This year the export would be about 20,000 tons of bacon and .3000 tons of pork. This increase of 8000 tons of bacon was a good indication of what could really be done if we really set onr minds to it. . Touching on the fall in production, Mr Cockayne said lie was not pessimistic about- the decline from the 1938 figure. In 1932 there were two factors working for increased production, publicity by the recording clubs and the Department of Agriculture, and the stark necessity then of making as much money out of pigs as possible. Further, in this rapid rise there were many failures by reason of lack of knowledge and lack of proper equipment. It was obvious there should be a decline. BEADY FOR ACTION.

Although we had gone down in tonnage we were much better off in regard to “pig consciousness,” said Mr Cockayne. We had “withdrawn to better positions” and now were “in position to counter-attack.” The position relating to rejected pigs was much better, showing improved treatment of the pigs; the quality of stock was far better than it was given credit for, and our ability to produce pigs was better than ever it was. Anybody who said that the industry was declining was a defeatist.

The price was now right, the speaker proceeded, and it would be wrong to ask for more. However, if England offered a higher price it would not be refused. England would- have to restrict the importation of stock foods for certain stock. Tt took Clb of imported grain for England to produce lib of bacon. England required that freight space. AVe’ could assist. the Motherland in increasing, onr bacon exports, and to date there had not boon a complaint about the quality of our bacon. In the last season we could have clone more,' but without the war we would have .exported far less, Mr ,Cockayne said. We were now ready to increase production rapidly and the Government had advised Great Britain -that New Zealand would, in this coming season, increase the export of I,aeon by ,at least 10,000 tons. Every ’dairy farmer should now review his operations, and if he had not produced 1001 b of pig meat per cow lie should realise that he had not attained satisfactory production. A return of lOOlh of pig meat per cow would give 70 000 tops of pig flesh and show an increase of 20.000 tons over all. To increase production, the) farmer had to grow more root crops, make the fullest use of all dairying byproducts.. and undertake the growing of grain on his farm. This would entail a sacrifice*. but when one thought ot the 8.E.F., and of their sacrifice, a sacrifice here was an honour. (Applause.) The pig farmer who had now reached a satisfactory production figure used grain freely. It was very unlikely that wo would get. cheap grain from Australia ns'we did last year. That barlev would lie needed in Australia for just the same reason as it was |, cre —increased production. To import grain was not to increase production. We would need to grow this grain in the North Island and, if a subsidy were necessary, then was it not bcttei to give the subsidy on the New Zealand article rather than on the imported one? Recommendations to tins end were to be made to the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. "W. Lee Martin). A very considerable number of men of the best- kind should be available to make contact with the farmers. The Pig Councils should be strengthened by men of the best kind—men who were worth while and who were prepared to spend a good deal of their time, in urging increased production, particularly in the bacon field. Mr Cockayne said he intended to call on such men. and he knew there were farmers of repute who would use fill their infillence in asking farmers to grow grain for the pig-raiser. Then there- would not be heard remarks of what had not been done, but there would be something really worthwhile done. One prominent farmer on this coast had asked how he could assist and was now going 'to throw all his weight into this effort for growing grain. The chairman (Air B E. Keiller) had said he would do the same. AVith that kind of spirit a definite advance • would he made. ASSISTANCE PROPOSED.

Answering questions, Mr Cockayne sa id the acting-Minister of Agriculture (Hoh. F. Langstone) was .now considering assistance being given for the provision of roofing iron and materials for building housing, and was well disposed toward the suggestion. One ■ member of the audience suggested that if Britain wanted bacon very badly all the bacon possible should be sent.

Air Cockayne said this had not yet been considered, but if Britain said she required still further bacon this would certainly be considered. Air H. J. MeLeavey (president of the Aianawatu provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union) said that < the basis of the whole problem in regard to increased production lay in betterment of pig housing. Further, cheap money for housing for farm workers was most important. Mr Cockayne said lie was heartily in sympathy with that viewpoint. The chairman said the Pig Council was now urging this view and would press for action. i Air N. P. Nielseii contended that there had been no inducement to farmers in recent years to grow grain, and in the Kairanga a yield of 80 bushels an acre could be readied.

Air Cockayne was heartily thanked for his address.