THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1926. WORLD MEAT PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19291, 1 April 1926, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1926. WORLD MEAT PROSPECTS.

Advice and information given to Australian, producers about prospects in the world's market for beef has its interest for New Zealand. It is true this country does not cut a great figure as an exporter of beef. Its position in the British market exemplifies the fact. In the year 1924 the beef and veal imported by Great Britain was valued at over £32,000,000. Of this amount New Zealand contributed £1,153,000 worth. It is very different with mutton and lamb. Out of just over £20,000,000 worth imported, £12,175,000 worth came from Empire sources, New Zealand supplying £10,157,000 worth. This being so, it might naturally be asked why there should be any desire to compete with other countries in beef; why, in short, all future effort should not be devoted to consolidating and adding to the Dominion's undoubted predominance in the other branch of the British meat market. The answer can be found in the character of much land which is causing anxiety to the settlers working it, and to the Government. Heavy grazing of it by cattle has been declared essential to its maintenance in good heart for a certain length of time after it has been reclaimed from its virgin condition. Eventually it may carry sheep with complete success. Much of it may be devoted to dairying once the pasture is fully and finally established. Meanwhile stocking, and heavy stocking, with beef cattle is absolutely necessary to its proper reclamation from the wilderness.

When a commission of inquiry investigated the problem of deteriorated farm lands last year, it decided that the Blump in the beef market, following the war, had had much to do with the alarming inroads of secondary growth on land lately won from forest. As beef prices fell, and profits dwindled, settlers abandoned breeding and fattening cattle' to an increasing extent. They had no option, for most of them had no margin of cadh or credit to enable them to wait for better times. As the cattle were removed, the fern and other encroaching growth gained ground. Sheep could not open it up to the same extent, so it waxed strong and the grass fell away. Dairy cows did not, iri the view of the commission, fill the role of the beef cattle. In any event many of these settlers were not in a position to change over to the dairying industry. Consequently the secondary growth crept in and the cry of deterioration arose. The report was emphatic that most of the land viewed had great possibilities, but intensive stocking with dry cattle was absolutely essential to some of it, at least for a considerable period. Once the battle with the fern was won, then it might carry sheep with success. It needs little further argument to establish the fact that no matter how great the success of New Zealand in the market for mutton and lamb, the opportunity to participate with profit in the beef trade would bring secondary benefits of high value. It is not highly encouraging, thereiore, to find an expert predicting a period of over-production within the near future, bringing a fall in prices. There are enough

difficulties already in the way of meeting existent foreign competition. Australian producers were advised of the type of animal they should endeavour to breed if they desired to appeal to the overseas consumer. The compact beast, yielding small joints, was declared essential for successful marketing. That opinion has been expressed before with considerable emphasis. The Imperial Economic Committee, which reported last year on the marketing and preparing of foodstuffs produced in the overseas parts of the Empire, attributed much of the success of South American countries to the type and finish of the carcase shipped. Early maturity, mentioned inferentially by the lecturer, was included among the desirable qualities. These are points where, in time, with careful breeding the South American could be met. Unfortunately the Argentine and neighbouring countries enjoy other advantages which offer more difficulties. Time and distance permit them to offer chilled beef for sale where Australia and New Zealand have to despatch the carcase frozen. Lighter freight rates for the shorter run necessarily represent another advantage. The upshot is that even with the market in its present condition, the problem of increasing the export of beef from New "Zealand is not easy of solution. No doubt the suggestions made for breeding the popular type of animal would help. To refer again to the report of the Imperial Economic Committee, it said :—"There is an ever-growing demand for smaller joints, which has been reflected in the earlier age at which beef cattleare now marketed. The highest class of demand is for carcases from blocky, thick-set animals of beef conformation, well finished, from two to three years old." In these facts there is surely material for thought by the New Zealand producer, having regard to the present condition of the export industry, and the boon it would be to the farmer if beef could come into its own again as a considerable factor in exported primary produce.