FROZEN MEAT EXPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20372, 28 September 1929, Page 9

FROZEN MEAT EXPORT.

AUCKLAND FARMERS' CO. REVIEW OF OPERATIONS. SOUND FINANCIAL POSITION. The twenty-fifth annual meeting of shareliplders Gf the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, Limited, was held at the Chamber of Commerce yesterday, the chairman of directors, Mr. J. E. Makgill, presiding. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, details ol which were published in the Herald on September 7, the chairman said the directors thought that they could justly claim that the company was in a sound financial position. They could not overlook, however; that the time was very close when they would have to make further provision to provide for the expected development of the dairy industry. That matter was having the careful consideration of the directors, and before long they expected to place before shareholders proposals for making that provision and means for financing it. The position had no bearing on the stockkilling facilities the company possessed, which represented a capacity well ahead of the demands placed npen them, even considering the increased output of lambs and pigs now being produced in this province.

The actual estimated freight carcaseoutput of meat from all the freezing works of the province for the past season showed an increause of only 13,807 freight carcases. That included the large increase in pigs dealt with and also bobby calves and lambs. Each of these branches of the industry showed an increase, but that increase was offset by a very considerable reduction in beef output and a decrease in veal and mutton. Fewer Cattle Xilled. "■ 7 The killing of cattle showed 'a reduction of 6162 head on the previous year, and real calves a reduction of 2068 head. A similar falb'ng-off had apparently occurred in all districts, as the total export of beef at June 30 last showed a large reduction in comparison with the previous year. Eobbv calves dealt with showed a very marked increase in numbers, an increase of 75.935 having been killed. A small proportion of those calves might have been, with advantage to the country, reared for beef cattle, but many of them would rot have been, even had the trade not developed. By far the majority was not payable to rear or keep for beef purposes.

More lambs were killed in the past season than ever before. The killings increased by 19,377 over fhe previous year, but in mutton there was a reduction of 5464. The Dominion figures available indicated that in both lamb and mutton there was reduced killing for the past season.

Tlie number of pigs dealt with showed a great increase, 57.911 more having been dealt with than in the previous year. The prices realised were also an improvement. It was disappointing to see that from the interim returns for January 31, that there was a reduction in the pig population amounting to 30.103. A footing was being gained in the markets in Great Britain and to-maintain that position the Dominion supplies must be available to buyers there in increasing volume. Eecord Dairy Production. Coming to dairy produce, the chairman i said that, tho quantity of butter received represented an increase of 251,633 boxes, or 13 per cent., over the record season experienced the year before. Cheese had shown an increase of 30,540 crates, or 19 per cent., over the previous year. The past season was a record for the output of both butter and cheese for the Auckland province. Considerably less fruit was received than in the previous year, although , the quantity exported was greater. In ail 155,184 boxes were received, of which 80,237 boxes were for export and 74,947 for local storage. The apple crop was apparently a smaller one, but a more remunerative one to growers. There was still much to be done by way of improving the conditions of carrying fruit to overseas markets and there was au opportunity for the trial of a better system of refrigeration for both fruit and cheese.

The tympany's 'works had been maintained in an efficient condition during the year and some improvements made which entailed a few thousand pounds of capital expenditure. The dividend proposed was again 6 pan cent. - Concluding, the chairman thanked the staff for the efficient service it had given during the year. The report, and balance-sheet -trere adopt-ed after a very brief discussion. The retiring directors, Messrs. J. E. Makgill, A. Orr and H. E. Worsp, were re-elected unopposed. ]tfr. J. W. Falconer was reappointed auditor.

Votes of thanks were accorded to the staff and to the directors for their services.