MEAT INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23418, 7 August 1939, Page 5

MEAT INDUSTRY

SOUTHLAND COMPANIES

K RETURNS TO PRODUCERS

FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICE

[by TEI/EGRAPH—PR Kiss ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON, Sunday "The position of the moat industry in Southland, and iri particular returns to producers, compared with returns for similar produce in Canterbury, has been under close review during the past 12 months," 'stated the Minister of Agriculture, tlie Hon. W. Lee Martin, in an interview to-day. "It will bo remembered that 1 made a statement in February last outlining conditions under which Southland freezing companies bad agreed to operate," added the Minister. "Throughout the whole of last season weekly returns were submitted to my department by all companies and operators and I am now in ii position to judge the extent to Vvhich conditions agreed upon have been carried out. "It would have been too much to expect complete approval of all that has transpired. It 'is true that some adjustments in date of receipt of fat stock have had to bo made at peak periods. This is not peculiar to any one district and it must bo recognised that provision of accommodation to take all fat stock at the time it is offering would bo hopelessly uneconomic. ' , , * ' Allowance for By-Products

"Some complaints have been received relative to allowance for by-products.; Such points are ones of detail only and must not be confused with policy. "In both Southland and Canterbury prices realised per lb. by producers have been in excess of schedules and slightly in favour, of Canterbury," continued the Mihister. "This advantage, amounting to approximately ,016 d per lb.,- is more than accounted for by the percentage and gross weight of Canterbury lamb falling into seconds, and which, 011 realisation value, are worth more than Southland seconds. It is significant to note tiiat the percentage of seconds lamb in Canterbury was 35.6 per cent compared with 24.3 per cent in Southland.

"When we consider returns to farmers 011 a par head basis it "is found that Southland lamb carcases weighed on the average 2..'31b. more than Canterbury lamb, which gives an average per head return of 16.155 d in favour of Southland.

i "In view of the foregoing, I .am I satisfied that Southland companies and operators have.paid fair and reasonable prices for Southland meat. .. "On the-evidence of weekly and seasonal kill, I consider that Southland companies have provided reasonable | and adequate facilities." said the MinT istcr. "1 am hopeful that cool storage facilities will be improved by certain of the companies in the near future. Fixation of Bates "Fixation, of standard 'killing and freezing rates has been of definite benefit to farmer consignors and to operators generally.' 1 regret that rates fixed for Southland works were not adopted, voluntarily by Canterbury companies, and I ani now considering the advisability of fixing rates throughout the South Island as a condition of a licence. 1 do not consider it necessary to vary the rate which operated last season. "Operators filled killing space to the extent of approximately 150.000 carcases last season, and I have decided that the conditions pertaining then should not he altered.'' continued the Minister. "I wish to assure Southland producers that 1 will continue to watch the position in their district with the greatest of interest, hut I am satisfied ' that Southland companies and operai tors will do everything in their power 1 to ensure that a full and efficient ser- | vice is rendered to Southland farmers. ! "It will ho understood, of course. ; that the. position will he reviewed at the end of each season's operations on | tlic basis of information tyhi<jh companies will continue to supply in line with that collected last year." HIGH POTATO PRICES RATES IN WELLINGTON. UP TO £2l A TON PAID [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION"] WELLINGTON. Satnrday Potatoes sold at the Wellington auction markets during the past few days have brought op to £2l a ton, a jevel not equalled for 21 years. This was ascertained from local wholesale produce merchants to-day. It was stated that the potatoes sold at the present high prices would in a normal season bring from £lo* to £l2 a ton at this time of the year. One auctioneer said he had this week sold for £lB a ton potatoes that in other years he would not hare been able to give awav. The trade anticipates an even more acute shortage in the near future and it is held that the importation of Australian potatoes would not remedy the position. The reason for the shortage, is stated to be the serious effect of the weather on crops. Southern potatoes' sold through the auction.at Auckland last week at 17s to 18s 6d per cwt., while Ohakunte supplies, which command a special trade, were done at 10s to 15s a bag of 561b. Further supplies of southern potatoes for tho Auckland market were due by the Waimnrino to-day. but this vessel has hecn subject to delays in the South and is not expected here until Friday. In the meantime, it is expected tho demand will fully tax available supplies. . at : MINING NEWS YIELDS OF COMPANIES , Argo (.West Coast). —38oz. from 11.000 yards in 129 hours. Bundi (West Coast). —To August 2, a total of 3Soz. from 11,000 yards in 90 hours. Nemona (West Coast). —50oz. from 9900 yards in 121 hours. New .River (West ' Const).—Week ended August 3. a total of 250z. from 7500 yards in 123 hours. White's Electric (West Coast).— Week ended August 3, a total of 390z. for 101 hours. MIKONUI GOLD DREDGING Tho secretaries of Mikonui Gold Dredging (N.Z.), Limited, advise that the company has gone to allotment. The company intends to operate an area on the West Coast of the South Island. ... - .A. COTTON, RUBBER, COPRA, ETC. (Received August 6, 5.5 p.m.) , LONDON, Aug. 5 (Quotations on July 20 In parentheses.) * Cotton.—Spot. 5.28 d (o.<Jod) n lb.; September delivery, 4.62 d (4.69 d August). Rubber.—Para, 7gd a lb.; plantation and smoked, BJd (Bi|d)._ :/ Jute.—August-September shipments, £lB 5s (£2O) a ton. * * Qoprft. — August - September shipments, South Sea. sun-dried; £9 5s a ton, Loudon and Rotterdam (£9 2s 6d July-August) n ton; South Sea. smoked, £9 2s 6d to Marseilles and Genoa (£9); plantation, Rabaul, hotair dried, £lO os to London and Rotterdarn (£10). v Linseed 0i1.—£27 (£26 ss) a ton. Turpentine.—33s .(935); a cwt.