RAISING OF BEEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19658, 9 June 1927, Page 14

RAISING OF BEEF.

COMBATING THE DECLINE. PROPOSAL BY MEAT BOARD. BONUS ON QUARTERS EXPORTED. [bv telegraph.—own corresponded] MASTEETON, Wednesday. A proposal by the Meat Producers' Board to impose a levy on all beef slaughtered and to pay a bonus on all beef exported, similar to the Patterson plan, was expounded at a meeting of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association to-day by Mr. William Perry, a member of the board. Mr. Perry said that the producers must realise that the meat industry cf New Zealand was a depreciating amount, and cattle were not being bred as they should be. If they were to keep up the sheep supplies, especially in the North Island, they must have cattle to keep the sheep pastures in order. The Meat Board had done what it could to stimulate a Continental market for second-class beef. South Africa had' recently made special arrangements to supply Italy direct with beef, which would create further competition for New Zealand's beef trade with that country. There was no doubt that if beef declined further in value —it was already too low—it would not bo worth while for farmers to continue breeding. As a result, less sheep would be carried. Unless something was done, the stock-raising industry for fattening would fall away, both in cattle and in sheep. In the North Island 122,712 bullocks, 7069 heifers and 123,778 cows were slaughtered in 1926. The numbers exported last year were 20,700 bullocks, 1309 heifers and 29,578 cows. r These figures did not include boneless beef killed and exported. The proposal was, said Mr. Perry, that on all cattle killed for local consumption and export, except boneless beef, a levy of one farthing a pound be paid by the grower, and an amount of three-farthings a pound bonus would be paid by the board on all beef exported in quarters. This would raise the growers' return 44s 6d on a bullock of 6801b. and 30s on both heifers and cows of 3801b. The board considered that if this course were followed, it would just make it payable for farmers to export beef. In 1926 there was a reduction on the 1925 figures of 233,000 export quarters, indicating that the cattle were not being bred. The Meat Board was not in the position to carry the proposal out under present legislation, so it had been decided to place this proposal before the farmers of New Zealand for consideration. If the farmers upproved the scheme, the board would ask the Government to empower it to collect the levy through abattoirs and freezing works. In reply to Mr. R. J. Barton, who asked whether this would not place a levy on the consuming public, Mr. Perry said the Australian butter industry was operated quite successfully on similar lines. Consideration of the matter was held over..