DISPOSAL OF EWE MUTTON PRESENTS PROBLEM

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 49, 26 February 1941, Page 3

DISPOSAL OF EWE MUTTON PRESENTS PROBLEM

Government’s Reversal of Policy

FARMERS’ UNION ADVOCATES WISE PLANNING The problem of tlio disposal of the heavy-weight ewe mutton was discussed at a meeting of the Wellington Central provincial executive of tho Farmers' Union held at Mar ton yesterday when tho situation relating to meat production was reviewed. Tho meeting had hoped that the chairman of the Meat Board (Mr. T. A. Duncan) would be in attendance to discuss questions which are now exercising farmers but owing to an importance conference which is to be held in Wellington this week Mr. Duncan advised that he was unable to be present. Mr. J. B. S. Budding (Marton) drew attention to the somewhat erratic grading of lambs which had been experienced by fat lamb growers during the current season. Ho failed to understand why the grading was not uniform and spoke of the experience of one farmer who one week had a draft of lambs graded Downs and next week similar sheep were graded cross-bred. This was perplexing to breeders. Mr. L. Hammond (Rata) stated that the same question was raised at a meeting of tho electoral college of the Meat Board when it was explained that tho Meat Board’s inspectors decided upon the grading and tho freezing works were supposed to follow tho standard laid down. The inspectors paid visits to tho different wonts to see that the grading was carried out according to the standard laid down. It had been suggested that there had beeu instances where different works held to their own grading until the inspectors arrived and then adjusted it according to the Meat Board’s standard. Ho was unable to say whether this was actually the case but it did appear from what he had heard from farmers that there was a variation. Mr. A. Howard (Marton) considered, that the union should lodge a protest agaiust the apparent erratic grading but he did not think farmers would got very far. Tho situation illustrated, he said, what is happening under Government collective buying and there would be no alteration until there was a return to individual buying by freezing interests. The discussion turned to tho fate of the heavy-weight ewe, members recalling that tho Government had asked farmers to increase the weight of sheep and now the Government did not want the heavy-weight ewe. It was contended that the Government had fallen down on its promise to purchase ali meat. The heavy-weight ewe was nof wanted and was not being paid for. It presented a problem and the situation suggested that something would have to be done to prevent this class of meat depressing prices for the better classes. It was admitted that the old fat ewe always presented a problem but war conditions had accentuated it and something would have to be done if chaos was to be avoided. The chairman (Mr. D. G. Gordon, of Taihape) stated that in making its protest the union would bo simply asking tho Government to implement its guaranteed price for meat. When, the Government announced that it would purchase all meat it did not place any restrictions on the weight of mutton but now there was a restriction on the old ewe of 721'bs. After further discussion the followin" resolution was carried unanimously: ‘ ‘ This executive draws the attantidn of the Minister of Marketing to> the fact that of all industries that of farming depends for its success on wise planning one year in advance. The Government gave an undertaking to purchase ali meat a|ud asked tho farmer to produce the maximum. We consider the elimination of the 721 h. ewo and over at short notive a failure to honour their undertaking and a grave mistake since it will have the effect of dislocating the local market and disturbing confidence i*i Government promises. This example of Governmental reversal of action without warning should serve as an illustration of the chaos that will be created if this is persisted in. The GoveraniQttt requirements in relation to comparative importance of wool versus meat should be clearly stated now before the rams arc put out. Once guidance has beeu given for the ensuing season fanners should not find that the market has collapsed before that season closes. ’ *