LEVY ON PIGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22719, 4 May 1937, Page 7

LEVY ON PIGS

PROPOSAL WELCOMED MR. W. A. PHILLIPS' VIEWS IMPROVED GRADING STANDARD [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday The opinion that pig producers throughout New Zealand would welcome the Government's decision to impose a levy of 2d a pig on all pigs slaughtered to provide a national fund" for educational purposes was expressed to-day by Mr. W, A. Phillips, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association, Limited. Mr Phillips said that in relation to its potential importance there was no industry in New Zealand more deserving of national attention, nor was there 0110 which offered a better return for investment in promoting its advancement bv planned organisation and development. "Recently a representative meeting of all interests concerned was convened by the Department of Agriculture to consider ways and means to bring about a gradual improvement in the export standard of our bacon pigs," said Mr. Phillips. "In this reform, the most vital of those desired by producer interests to safeguard and expand their export trade, it is, in my company's opinion, both desirable and necessary that in a uniform strengthening of grading standards there should also be a compensating advantage to producers by waj- of an attractive premium payment to those who equip themselves to produce the type of carcase most desired for both the local and export trade.'' • Payment for Quality Mr. Phillips went on to say that in contemplating a preferential payment for quality, which was essentia! to capitalise the money and effort already expended on educational propaganda, including that now made possible by the additional funds provided by the national levy, his organisation had advocated that the cost of such premium should also be found by a uniform levy over all pigs killed. ' Such a course would place the fund under the safe and impartial control of the Department of Agriculture, ■who -would also, necessarily, be responsible for the grading and authority upon which the premium was paid. '

English Experience Continuing, Mr. Phillips said that the English pig and bacon schemes during their short existence of three years were responsible for increasing pig production in England from 2,745,000 to 3,801,000. and in approximately the same period its bacon production was increased from 1,350,000cwt. to 2,700.000cwt. Under the protection of these schemes New Zealand had enjoyed a much improved market for its baconer exports, which had also been reflected on its local market. It would be obvious to producers that too much valuable time had already been wasted in introducing the reforms now hopefully in sight to ensure the retention of the present? advantage, including scope for expansion, by making quality and uniformity of carcase the paramount objective. which, in the ultimate result, would level all temporary price factors.