FIT FOR WEMBLEY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11875, 8 July 1924, Page 11

FIT FOR WEMBLEY

UNIQUE EXHIBITION N.Z.’S OPPORTUNITY IN BACON EXPORT TRADE. POLITICIANS INTERESTED. It was an eminent-.Fseaoh chef who threw up his position in London, remarking that his art was wasted on people who would eat nothing hut bacon for breakfast. It may seem to some people that this is gross exaggeration, but such is not the case, for Eng lish people are till©, greatest bacon eaters in the world- -... When speaking at, the winter show the Prime Minister, Mr W. F. Mas sey. said that England imported from America and Denmark alone £44,000,000 of .bacon and pork products, but the totail imports under this heading are 60 millions a year. He struck a regretful note when he added that amidst all the bacon he . saw ip. Smithfield market he did not see one pound which came from New Zealand, yeti in Smithfield market,the saw nothing to compare in appearance with the New Zealand! prd'duot exhibited in the exhibition that day by the New Zealand Bacop/ Company, of “Swan” bacon fame. A NOTICEABLE FEATURE- .

The display in question was indeed a brave one, showing that one firm at least has recognised the importance of the industry. One would imagine that bacon and pork products do not lend themselves to an artistic display, but one is quickly undeceived, for the exhibition has (been arranged in a most masterly way, and commands attention by reason of its unique character. Tha centre comprises sides of bacon with the brand stamped plainly on them, and! on each side at_ the foot a stuffed porker, together with exhibits of lard, sausages, etc. Next to these were shown, sides of Danish, English, Canadian and New Zealand bacon to enable fße public to make comparisons, and the exhibit went further still, for on the stand adjoining were parts of each country’s product cut up, hocks, hams, breakfast rashers, boiling bacon, so that those whose tastes lie that way may see and compare for 1 themselves the New Zealand product with that of any other country. After the show had been opened both the Governor-General and Mr Miassey halted at this display, indicating an industry that promises tremendous developments in the next decade. “That’s an exhibition which is fit far Wembley,” remarked the Prime Minister, and the sentiments were heartily endorsed. MR T. M. WTLFORD’S VISIT.

Yesterday afternoon Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P., accompanied by MS* Isabel Wilfbrd and Mr K. Williams, ot Hawke’s'Bay; also paid a special visit of ■ inspection to this stands displaying great interest in the methods of curing and handling, and closely inspecting the English, Danish, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand oacons. Mr Wilford, toe, remarked that there was on exhibit he would like to transport to Wembley, and when asked what his views were regarding the industry, replied: “The pork industry will be considerably discussed during the present session. ’

THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING^. “In wha(t respect ia the English bacon better than tha New Zealand bacon ” was one question asked, and the Aim’s manager promptly repudiated such a suggestion, adding .that, the “proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Later, therefore, Mr Wit ford intends to try a sample bf the products of each country., The report of a big London. Arm. .on. Now. Zealand bacon interested him, for ibis report said:—“High-claes bacon in every (respect. Mild flavour of especi ally fine quality. Rarely seen sides of bacon more perfectly f&apsd- Fttyppr equal in every Tespect to finest Danish or Irish, and we might -also_ include finest English Wiltshire. It docs our New Zealand friends great credit foi turning out such meat.” What greater compliment could he paid to the firm which produced such bacon in New Zealand ? The New Zealand Bacon Company has sent » similar display to the Wembley Exhibition, and, it is worth while -adding that the firm secured the first prize at the London Dairy Exhibition in 1922. AGAIN.

It may to© news to most people that a few years ago New Zealand toaconcurers did send some trial shipments of bacon, and everything promised well, when, for some reason or other, the production of pigs fell alarmingly, a drop of considerably over 60,000 occurring between 1916-10. This had a disastrous effect «on the export trade, for the supplies for consumption in the Dominion absolutely eliminated; any surplus for export. Since 1920' there has been a steady increase, and the figures have risen from 239,000 in 1920 to 420,679 in 1924. There is evidence that the dairy farmers are paying considerable attention to this aspect of the dairy business, although when butter-fat prices have been at their maximum there has been a tendency to neglect' it. Now that more normal butter-fat, prices are ruling, the farmer is realising that the pig is going to be a big friend to him, and it is coming home to him that it will pay to grow some hard food for bacon purposes instead of merely looking upon the pig as only a means of disposing of the skim milk and whey from the factories. It is hoped ere long that the production will have so increased that such a company as the “Swan’? will again he enabled to enter the export trade, as well as being a household name in the Dominion. , POINTS TO REMEMBER. The bacon of other countries has been imported in order to see what is necessary to meet the requirements in the English market. One thing mostly lacking is the length of side, which is attributable to the class, or breed, of pig used, and it is hoped that the Department of Agriculture will give every encouragement to the farmer by supplying him with the information which will enable him to produce the kind of pig that will answer requirements. A little is being done in that direction, but there is room for mjuch

more to be done. An outstanding fact is this, that if the exhibit of New Zealand bacon at the Wembley ' Exhibition is equal to that in the Wellington Winter Show, there will be no gangs for dissatisfaction. " -r . .. DOING GOOD WORK*.* * *

The employees of the firm know their work, and only the best is pas on the market for the delectation of the New Zealand household. For tiffs reason every side is stamped with tffb brand of the firm, -and"the nanfo

“Swan” appears several times on each one. As in all trades,- there are isferior grades, so that it is up to tfao householder, when making a purchase, to see that the brand is there as % guarantee of the genuine article. *