PIG INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23026, 2 May 1938, Page 8

PIG INDUSTRY

The failure of tjie pig industry to develop hand in hand with the dairy industry used to be the subject of lament among farm economists. They pointed to Denmark where the pig is said to "hang on the tail of the cow." Happily the time of neglect has passed in New Zealand, although few townsmen realise the extent to which the pig is taking rank with the sheep and the cow in rural economics. Last year the export value of baconers and porkers amounted to £1,734,000, the contribution of the Auckland Province being £901,000 or more than half. Fifteen years ago exports did not reach 5000 carcases; last season the tally was 670,000 carcases, a record that should be again exceeded this season. The market prospects in Britain continue good, especially for baconers, which so far are not subject to any quota. As Mr. W. A. Phillips, chairman of the Pig Marketing Association, pointed out on Saturday, the effect of the British Government's new scheme for the Home industry should also react favourably on Dominion interests. Such a valuable trade is worth fostering and it is notable that one of the principal of the Director-General of Agriculture, Mr. A. H. Cockayne, on his visit to Britain will be to ascertain how the bacon grading regulations are working in practice. These were enforced only a few months ago and, to judge by the absence of criticism among producers, appear to have been accepted as generally sound. As they have been framed to meet consumers' requirements, it is chiefly important, however, to take the opinion in Britain. Mr. Cockayne's inquiries, following closely on the operation of the new system, should therefore prove valuable, either in confirming present grading practice or in correcting any weaknesses disclosed by experience*