MEAT RESTRICTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21855, 18 July 1934, Page 7

MEAT RESTRICTIONS

SCOPE OF OPERATION CASE FOR BEEF ALONE OPINION IN THE TRADE No adequate alternative to the restriction of shipments of meat to Great Britain appears possible on a study of market conditions from the British producers' point of view, according to trade representatives in Auckland who have considered the British proposals now hpfore the Dominions. As the position presents itself, Britain is prepared to consider alternatives and is waiting for suggestions before proceeding to applv quotas. "New Zealand has now to "consider how it can satisfy the British demands with the least damage to the meat industry as a whole," said an exporter yesterday. "It is fairly evident that concessions have to be made, but if those concessions can be confined to beef the Dominion will have made the best bargain under the circumstances. This is probably what the New Zealand Government is aiming at. The ban on frozen beef exports already imposed indicates that the Dominion is prepared to move in this direction on a more permanent basis." A point mentioned was that, if Britain is concerned most with the weight of meat lifted from the market, a strong case could bo made by New Zealand for regulating the beef supply. On a weight basis, ono quarter beef was equal to four carcases of lamb, yet lamb was more than twice as valuable to the producer. The following comparison of approximately equal weights in beef, lamb and pork was made, together with the equivalent money \ aluo on the London market: — Beef Lamb Pork Dendweight, about, sGolb. in 1 IGJ 6 Value .. £6 9s £l6 63 £l2 1G« The comparison made it clear that, in dealing with beef alone, it was possible to lift the greatest weight of meat from the market and to sacrifice tho least valuable produce. It was pointed out that the imposition of quotas must mean losses to the British shipping and distributing trades, whoso views did not appear to have been expressed publicly. The shipping industry was faced with immediate loss of freights owing to the embargo on beef shipments. The future position also must be viewed with some uncertainty, especially as new vessels were being built in expectation of increased trade.

CHOICE BEFORE FARMERS BONELESS VEAXi OR PORK TRADE [by telegraph—psess association! HAWERA, Tuesday A statement on the position arising out of the prohibition of the export of boneless veal and boneless beef to Britain was made by Mr. T. A. Winks, a Government representative on the* Meat Producers' Board. He said that New Zealand was faced with the necessity of choosing between the bobby calfindustry and bacon and pork in considering the future development of the meat export trade. "It is commonly thought that the Meat Board sacrificed the dairy farmer in prohibiting the export of boneless beef and boneless veal," said MrWinks. "The position is that the Imperial Government has just wakened up to the fact that the export of meat from New Zealand exceeds the allowance under the Ottawa agreement and the board has stopped the export of all beef until negotiations now proceeding between the two Governments are satisfactorily arranged. The Meat Board met the Dairy Board in conference last Friday and produced figures which show an alarming increase on tbe quantities arranged at Ottawa. The position is decidedly serious from the grazier's point of view as well as the dairy farmer's.

"The pork industry has increased its output by many thousands of tons and the dairy farmer may be called upon to choose between pork and boneless beef and veal for export purposes. That is one point under discussion between the Government and the Meat Board. When the negotiations are completed and the Me'at Board knows what is. expected of it the board will confer with the Dairy Board's committee and these bodies will have to decide which is the best thing to do for the industry. In the meantime it is only speculation to predict what- will happen. It js no use calling dairy farmers together Until the Meat Board has further information from the Government."