EAT MORE MUTTON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 May 1939, Page 4

EAT MORE MUTTON

MINIMISING EFFECT OF RESTRICTIONS

If New Zealanders could be induced to eat more mutton, the effect of the severe export restriction just imposed could be minimised to the benefit of the farmers and of the Dominion as a whole (remarks the “N.Z. Herald”). This desirable result could be achieved by publicity and by selling mutton cheaper by comparison with other meats. Some years ago the Meat Board showed what could be achieved by publicity in its “eat-more-beef” campaign when thp bottom dropped out of the overseas markets for frozen beef. The same method might now be exploited to help the local demand for mutton and so lighten the surplus. If to public suggestion were added the material inducement of lower comparative prices, the effect should be substantial. New Zealanders already eat 51 per cent, of the mutton they produce and, if the percentage could be raised a few points, no great surplus should be left on 31st December next. If. as a result, local consumption of beef, veal, bacon and pork were to be reduced, the higher surplus for export should cause no embarrassment, because New Zealand is still working comfortably within the British quotas for these classes of meat. Mutton has at present to be stored in the hope of a future market, but the other meats could b? realised at once, thus easing the exchange position. When the Government and the board saw the present surplus of mutton developing, they might well have applied some such methods as those suggested above to minimise the loss. Instead they seem prepared to accept the British fiat passively, idly hoping for the best. New Zealand can help herself against the vigours of the quota, and should be encouraged to do so. And with most prices rising, cheaper mutton this winter should prove a popular solution of this particular problem.