MEAT EXPORT TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20630, 31 July 1930, Page 13

MEAT EXPORT TRADE.

NEW PRODUCTION RECORD. PAST YEAR REVIEWED. MORE SAVINGS IN FREIGHT. THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY. "In reviewing the season which is just closing, it is now evident that the quantity of stock treated at the various freezing works will constitute a record, in spite of the fact that the climatic conditions in some districts were not very favourable." states the eighth annual report of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board. Tho report deals comprehensively with all aspects of the board's work, including comment upon the regulation of shipments, the completion of a new contract which is estimated to save producers an additional £50,000 in freights on each of tho next three seasons, tho widening of markets by judicious advertising and, in conjunction with the Empire Marketing Board, the development of Empire trado. i In addition, there are lengthy accounts dealing with the research and experimental work conducted under the auspices of the board. Reviews of the numbers of livestock in the Dominion and of the killings for export embodying figures that arc also included in the report, have already been made, by the lleraw. In a survey of the season up to June 30 last the board's report states that owing to a late spring in the North Island sheep and lambs were not so forward in condition, resulting in killings in tho early part of tho season being less than for the same period last year. That was unfortunate, having regard to the small stocks of both mutton and lamb being held in Great Britain. The average weights of wethers, ewes and lambs were slightly lower than those of the two preceding seasons. Past Two Years Compared. Tho value of tho Dominion's sheep and cattle industry, as measured by the export statistics (f.o.b. values) for the 12 months ended March, together with tho corresponding figures for last year, is as follows: 1928-29. 1929-30. Wool £15,570,291 £10.610,979 Frozen Meat . . . 10,509,r>50 10,501,755 Hides and Bkins . . 3,111,109 '2,380.540 Other by-products . 1,013,032 1,418,217 Total . . . . £30,810,142 £24,917,491 Wool sold over the whole Dominion in respect of the November-April roster of sales averaged 8.59 d a lb., compared with 14.99 d a lb. last season, and 16.89 d a lb. in tho 1927-28 season.

New Zealand was Britain's largest supplier of mutton and lamb and the British import figures since refrigeration was first applied to ocean transport showed that New Zealand had shipped almost as many mutton and lamb carcases to Britain as had the rest of the world. The expanding production of South America, however, was noteworthy. In 1914 that country exported 837,903 lambs to the United Kingdom, while last year 4,353.241 lambs were exported from South America, an advance of 902,586 over the previous year. Premier Position of Lamb. In anticipation of greater killing of sheep and lambs during the season, the board, in its • work of regulating shipments, had exercised the greatest care to ensure that sufficient shipping tonnage was available to meet requirements. Owing to the abnormal killing experienced, many freezing works had been concerned at periods regarding congestion of their storage chambers. The board had been continually in touch with the position and with the co-operation of the shipping companies sufficient relief was given to enable all works to carry on. In order to develop trade with the West Coast ports of the United Kingdom further, the board had arranged with the shipping companies for an extended service which should enlarge the channels of distribution. "It is pleasing t 0 note that our lamb still retains its premier position," continues the report. "We must recognise, however, that other countries exporting to the United Kingdom are advancing in quality and it cannot be too often urged that every farmer should assiduously guard the high reputation which this Dominion possesses in respect of the quality of her meat exported. Quality, as desired for the Home trade, is not. measured in terms of weight, and lamb carcases should not carry undue waste fat." The importance of careful handling of stockwas also emphasised. Saving in Freights. In commenting upon the necessity for reducing stocks owing to the low values ruling for primary produce the report stated that the board had now accepted a new contract with the shipping companies in London at a reduction o f a further 2; per cent., which brought U<e new rates down_ 15 per cent, off the rates obtaining for tho 1924-25 season. The period of the contract was three-years and 11 io 2g per cent, reduction represented a further saving to tho meat producers of the Dominion of approximately £50.000 a season. Since its formation in 1922 the reductions obtained by the board in the various freight contracts negotiated amounted to £1,059,000 a soason, made up as follows: —1922-23 contract, £575.000; 1923-24 contract, £164,000; 1924-27 contract, £120,000; 1927-30 contract. £150,000; 1930-33 contract, £50,000: total, £1,059,000. Scientific Investigation. In addition to extensive advertising, the board had also provided a connecting link between the retail shops and its London office and had recently engaged a travelling representative whose duties largely consisted of visiting meat retailers throughout the United Kingdom with a view to extending New Zealand trade. After referring to the visit to New Zealand toward the end of 1929 of the scientific delegation headed by Dr. Ezer Griffiths, of the national physical laboratory, leddington, to investigate refrigeration and the carriage of New Zealand meat, the report states that the report of those scientists, who had been closely associated with the Scientific and Industrial lleseatf'h Department in New Zealand, would be the most comprehensive survey that had yet been undertaken. The board was also closely watching the development and possibilities of quick freezing in tho United States and had recently received a sample shipment from its agent in New York. In reference to the pork industry, it was sta>! that the freight rate on pork would be further reduced by 2J, per cent, under the "new shipping contract. Tho rate would now be ,922 d a lb. less than when the board was constituted in 1922, representing a saving of 9s 2d on a 1201b. pig. There was no doubt that the outlet for New Zealand pork was gradually widening and it was becoming favourably established on the Sinithfiold market. During tho last few years the board had made several trial shipments of meat to tho United Stales and tho export of meat to that country had prospects of developing. Tho estimated annual value had readied approximately £500,300 and was proving of great benefit to meat pro- j ducers of the Dominion, especially those raising beef. The new United States tariff, however, would practically nullify the board's efforts to develop that market as an outlet for Now Zealand beef.