MEAT INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 13 January 1944, Page 4

MEAT INDUSTRY

PRODUCERS PROTEST ! PRICES CONSIDERED INADEQUATE j Auckland, Jan. 11. Criticism of the prices producers were being paid for meat, particularly pig meats, with which the Auckland Province was 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 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 winter 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 difficulties. The position over the whole year was more important to the industry. There was a possibility of a minor increase of about id 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 more was being paid for goat meat than the New Zealand farmer received for his prime lamb and mutton. The farmer had got to the stage where he 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 the country and each year the position was becoming progressively worse. Mr N. D. Adams said the same arguments were being heard everywhere today. The Meat Board had been considering the whole position, including a higher price.