Pig Industry

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 105, 5 May 1937, Page 9

Pig Industry

LEVY DECISION APPROVED Interviewed regarding the Government’s action in imposing a levy on all pigs slaughtered, to provido a national fund for educational and kindred purposes, Air IV. A. Phillips, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Co-opera-tive Pig Alarketing Association, stated, inter alia, that pig producers throughout New Zealand would wcleomo this initial step towards the achievement of their objectives. In relation to its potential importance in our national economy, there is no industry in New Zealand more deserving of national attention, nor is there one which oilers a better return for investment in promoting its advancement by planned organisation and development. Tho amount, therefore, which it is proposed to collect is little enough ior so vital a cause, and if wisely spent will show a return to those who provide it far in excess of their contribution. “It is, I believe,” said Mr Phillips, “the intention of tho Department of Agriculture to set up an advisory council, comprising all allied interests, to collaborate with Air AI. J. Scott, its pig industry supervisor, who will be responsible for tho planned expenditure of the fund. Air Scott is a man of wide practical experience, and will have the confidence and ready co-operation of producers in the important work he has undertaken. “Recently a representative meeting of all interests concerned was convened by tho Department of Agriculture, to consider ways and means to bring about a gradual improvement ill the export standard of our bacon pigs. In this reform —the most vital of those desired by producer interests to safeguard and expand their export trade—it is, in my company’s opinion, both desirable and necessary that in a uniform strengthening of grading standards there should also be a compensating advantage to producers by way of an attractive premium payment to those who equip themselves to produce tho typo of carcase most desired for both the local and export trade,” continued Air Phillips. Air Phillips went on to say that in contemplating a preferential payment for quality, which is essential to capitalise the money and effort already expended on educational propaganda, including that now made possible by the additional funds provided by the national level, his organisation has advocated that since, in the ultimate result, tho producer must bear the cost of this and other Lenefits he receives, the cost of such premium should also bo found by a uniform levy over all pigs killed, irrespective of where, by whom, or for whom they ere slaughtered. Such a course would place tho fund under the safe and impartial control of the Department of Agriculture, who would also, necessarily, be responsible for tho grading and authority upon which tho premium was paid. To commend this straightforward' method, as against one which would depend for its equitable operation upon a voluntary adjustment in the average price now paid by buyers, would be the clarity of the position from the' viewpoint of producers, who would know exactly what the service cost them, and, incidentally, be assured of a direct and commensurate return for it.

Continuing, Air Phillips said that the • English pig and bacon schemes, during I their short existence of threo years were ( responsible for increasing pig produc- < lion in England from 2,745,000 to 1 3,801,000, and in approximately the I same period its bacon production was increased from 1,350,000 cwt to 2,750,000 cwt. Owing, however, to tho ill-advised resistance of producers to these remarkably successful schemes, it was recently found necessary to abandon them. While it is confidently anticipated that the Government will, later, re-establish them on a sounder basis, it must not be overlooked that meantime the collapse of these schemes has again opened the door a little wider to our foreign competitors, who will spare no effort to hold and strengthen their present advantage, which only the ro-cstablishmcnt of the schemes can effectively resist. Under the protection of those schemes New Zealand has enjoyed u much improved market for its baconer exports, which has also been reflected on its local market, but for tho reasons already mentioned it will be obvious to producers that too much valuable time has already been wasted in introducing tho reforms now hopefully in sight to ensure the retention of our present advantage, including scope for expansion, by making quality and uniformity of carcase their paramount objective, which, in the ultimate result, will level all temporary price factors. “In conclusion,” said Mr Phillips, “tho Alinister of Agriculture and his officers will be commended for any courage they display in furthering the interests of pig producers in the manner already begun by the institution of a levy for educational and research purposes.”