EXPORT OF PORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19792, 12 November 1927, Page 9

EXPORT OF PORK.

DESIRE FOR A BONUS

OPINIONS OF PRODUCERS.

A MINIMUM NET RETURN

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Friday. A conference of pig farmers to-day decided that the Government be asked to offer a bonus sufficient to ensure to all exporters of pork a minimum net return of scl per lb.

Mr. VV. J Poison, chairman of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, who prosided, said the Prime Minister had informed him that if those engaged in the industry could submit a joint scheme, instead of half-a-dozen different schemes, it would have more than his sympathy. Mr. Poison said he felt satisfied that if they could sub Witt a reasonable scheme that could be accepted by the Government without any undue dislocation of political methods, pig-growers would be given considerable assistance. They would have to show the Government, i£ they were going to ask for help, particularly by way of bonus, that a proper method of export was adopted and that the charges to be mad© on tho export were reasonable. They would have to show that the pigs at the other end of the world would not be thrown on the London market under "rafferty" rules. His other suggestion was to ask for something in the nature of a bonus.

The Paterson Scheme. Mr. J. G. Cobbe, chairman of the Pig Export Federation, referred to account sales oi 1171b. and 1221b. pigs, the net return of which was 2|d per lb. when sold in London after all charges bad been deducted. That was a distinct loss. ,

Mr. H. H. Stirling, .representing the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, expressed the opinion that in general the principle of a subsidy was not sound and could only be justified, by some extraordinary circumstances. Such circumstances were applicable to the industry at present.

Mr. G. Elliot, M.P., said that the Paterson scheme in Australia was a voluntary effort and the point arose 'whether they could get the dairy farmers in New Zealand to launch such a scheme. Per : soually h 9 did not think so, and to launch the Paterson scheme legislation would be necessary. So faT as the present Parliament was concerned there was no possible chance of obtaining legislation, even though the Government were prepared to legislate.

Big Opening for Production. Mr. S. A. Broadbelt, of the Levin Dairy Company, said there, were about 500,000 pigs m New Zealand; and 100,000 would keep New Zealand in bacon., Thera was a big opening in N£w Zealand for pig production; , „..r

Mr. Poison - said the Patefson scheme was undoubtedly out .of the question. , Mr. J. S. -Jessep, vice-chairman of the Meat Board;: declared that they were not making full use of the pig.industry. Only by getting the exports of New Zealand up could they hope to get taxation down and he knew no industry that could be so readily expanded as the pig industry side by side with the dairy industry. > On the motion of Mr. Cob be, seconded by' Mr. Neal Campbell, it was resolved* "that in order to save the pig industry the Government be asked to offer a bonus sufficient to ensure to all exporters of porn a minimum net return of 5d per lb.; that a committee, consisting of Messrs. Broadbelt, Stirling and Poison, place the matter before the Government; that the committee be instructed to co-operate with the Meat and Dairy Boards in providing a system of export and sales which will ensure the proper application of the. bonus." SHARK SKiN INDUSTRY. SHOES AND HANDBAGS. [from OUR ~6wji COfiisispbNDKNT. 3 S'Jl ; SYDNEY. NoVf-3. Australian shark skin for ..ladies' shoes and handbags is the material of a sue-, cessful new industry. It is claimed by the managing director, Captain G- R- Turner, that the New South Wales industry is the first of its kind in the world to make a genuine success of shark catching and shark lear ther manufacture. To another concern publicity has been given in England, but it has not had the success that has attended the launching of the Port Stephens venture. Already a number of tanneries in Sydney . has manufactured shark leather. Samples of this have been sent to England' to be turned into shoes and handbags. We may even see sliark-skih coats at the races before long. However, shoes are a reality, and very smart they. look. Snake-skin shoes are supposed to famed for their long life. But shark skin is claimed to be even better. Next season probably the " flappers " will be wearing it, ' Thousands of sharks have , been caught and skinned. Their hide is not the only marketable part; not a vestige of the* shark is left unmarketed in some form or another; , • : - :•

SALE OF MERINO RAMS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ISSOCUTXON.] CHRISTCHURCH,_ Friday. At a sale of Merino rams from Boonoka station) New South Wales, one was„sold for 200 guineas to Mr. D. Fernifc, ot Wanganui, and another for 150 guineas to the same buyer. ■), • ■ ' ' ' -' ' t-,' MELBOURNE PRODUCE.. A. and N.Z. MELBOURNE. Nov. 11. The following are to-day's quotations, on tha Melbourne produce market, Wheat.—{-Quiet at' 5s 7d to 5s 7£d. Flour,—£l3 10s to £l3 15s. Bran.—£B 10s. Pollard.—£B ss. Oats.—4s 8d to 4s 9d. Barley.—English, 4s 6d to 4s 9d. Potatoes. —£6 10s to £7 10s. Onions.—£3. -