PRICES FOR MEAT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 38, 13 January 1944, Page 5

PRICES FOR MEAT

CONSIDERED INADEQUATE,

PRODUCERS' CRITICISM. AUCKLAND, Jan. 11

Criticism of the prices producers were, being paid lor meat, particularly pig meats, with which the Auckland Province is closely concerned, arose from members at a meeting of the Auckland District Council of Primary Production when a letter was received from the Director of National Production urging the council to use every endeavour to encourage farmers to increase the weight of meat produced. The council passed a resolution that the present returns from pig meats were insufficient to provide a stimulus for increased production. Mr J. Mackie said that farmers were unlikely to attempt to increase the production of winter pig meat when they were not earning the cost of production. Farmers had lost money in bringing pigs through last winter, and he urged that the council should take up the question of securing an additional payment for the winter months. Producers should receive at least 9d per lb. The chairman (Mr R. C. Clark) said that the pig industry as a whole did not want particularly an increase in the winter price. They wanted an all-round increase. The production of w-inter pig meat was a costly matter and only a small percentage of production would benefit by an increased winter price, which would tend to increase their difficulties. The position over tho whole year was more important to the industry. Thero was a possibility of a minor increase of about jd per lb from the elimination of certain deductions which had previously gone to the pool. This pool now stood around £50.000 to £60,000. The price which would satisfy producers varied from 7d to lOd per lb, but the question of stabilisation entered into the matter.

Mr S. Phillips said that in England moro was being paid for goat meat than the New Zealand farmer received for his prime lamb and button. Tho farmer had got to the stage where ho was disgusted and was reducing production because he could not make it pay. The outlook was for a reduction in every class of production in tho country and each year the position was becoming progressively worse. ' Mr N. D. Adams said tho same arguments were being hoard everywhere today. The Meat Board had been considering the position, including a higher price.