MEAT BOARD WORK

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 196, 21 August 1935, Page 12

MEAT BOARD WORK

MARKETING ABROAD Steady Campaign at Home FINDING FRESH OUTLETS The thirteenth annual report and .tatement of accounts of the New Sealancl- Meat Producers’ Board, ior the year ended June 30, is e as usual, a most interesting document, containing as it does the review of the past season’s dealing in our mutton and lamb, as well as beef and pork products. A study of this year s report shows clearly that, despite trade difficulties, the Meat Board is putting up a gallant fight to foster this branch of New Zealand’s pastoral industry. As mentioned m the report, the total value of meat exported from the Dominion (f.o.b. values), for the year ended March 31, was £l2 347,359, while total killings, up to June 30, in 601 b. freight carcases, were 9,039,001. The report can aptly be described as a “Romance of Meat Marketing.” On its last year’s working the board had to draw on its accumulated funds to the extent of £13,298 18/8_ leaving these funds standing at £59,857 7/9. Referring to Britain’s meat policy, the report states that the quota requirements of the British Government up to Juno 30 necessitated the Meat Uoard and the Government maintaining the closest touch with shippers regarding shipment of the various classes of meat in each quota period. This was an exceedingly difficult and onerous task for the board. “The regulation of shipments to the best advantage has again received careful consideration, and it can bo fairly claimed that tho system has been markedly- successful over a long period in avoiding excessivo fluctuations in prices amt maintaining a higher average than would have been secured under conditions of alternate glut and scarcity. This satisfactory result has been achieved by constant study of many factors which may influence market prices, but as prompt shipment of an excessive quantity of meat would be likely to overload a market always sensitive to oversupply, the exports from New Zealand during the busy period do not coincide by any means with the total killings.”

FREIGHT ARRANGEMENTS. Pointing out that consumptive demand is not the only factor to consider, the report continues, “Freight arrangements on a route which is tho longest in the world for regular food supplies to the English market involve much planning well in advance of shipping dates, but the fact that the board arranges the freight contracts for the whole of the Dominion’s meat shipments, and every month allocates tonnage for all ports, gives it an important controlling influence in this sphere. It then has to take into consideration, in planning an even flow of supplies, variations in speeds of vessels employed in tho trade, and the loading conditions around the New Zealand coast, with liability to delaythrough unfavourable weather in open roadsteads.

“Still another important point conies into the board’s arrangements, and this is the spreading of meat supplies over as wide a geographical area as possible in the British market. London remains the greatest consuming centre, but every effort is made to avoid overloading this market, by allotting as much space as possible for loading to West of England ports. This involves creating an increased demand in these areas, and tho board . consequently maintains a travelling representative who is constantly calling upon retailers in tho Midlands, the industrial centres of the West, Scotland, and the eastern counties of England, with the object of inducing increased purchases of New Zealand mutton and lamb. The xvork of this officer is greatly assisted by general publicity' campaigns, and the special New Zealand Week, organised in many of tho highly populated centres.

“The board has not relaxed its publicity efforts for New Zealand meat at Home during the past 12 months,” states the report, in dealing with the publicity side of its labours. “For some years the board has earmarked about three-quarters of its total income for propaganda to' keep the merits of our meat before tho consumer in Great Britain, and it is satisfied that this expenditure is entirely justified.” The report then details various publicity efforts that have been undertaken, and the reader cannot fail to be impressed at the efforts that have been m'ado to bring our products into prominence before the British consumer.

MARKETING ELSEWHERE. Under the heading “Distribution Overseas,” the report states that “further attention has been given throughout the year to the possibilities ol trade with other countries. The board is fully alive to the importance of obtaining additional outlets [or our meat outside the United Kingdom, realising that every ton of meat which can be kept off the British market under present quota conditions is of value to the Dominion. Investigations made by tho board’s officers, however, disclosed that credit-control, quota restrictions, and tariffs usually operated to effectively exclude New Zealand meat in most cases, while in some countries where the tariff did not appear formidable veterinary restrictions operated as a complete bar.” An interesting table given in the report shows that, despite trade difficulties and policies of economic nationalism, shipments were last. season made to a number of countries, although, because of tho aforementioned reasons, these shipments were, with tho exception of United States pur chases, not very large. Countries men tinned in the list include Italy, Canada. the United States. Panama, while in addition, a growing quantity ot New Zealand meat is being re-exported from England to the West Indies.