EXPORT OF FROZEN MEAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18762, 16 January 1923, Page 5

EXPORT OF FROZEN MEAT

THE CONDITION REVIEWED. OUTLOOK FOR LAMB BRIGHT. QUALITY MUST BE MAINTAINED. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 15. A brief review of the conditions in regard to the export of frozen meat from the dominion was given by Mr J. S. Jessep, vice-chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board who returned from London to-day. “I think the prospects before tho sheep farmers of New Zealand for the next few years are good,” lie said. “The outlook for lamb is especially bright, pro-

vided we maintain the quality which places it in a class by itself. I cannot 100 strongly emphasise this point. There is a good market in the United Kingdom. Tho British public is prepared to pay for quality. There is, however, a limit, and farmers ■would do well to roafiso that. When c.i.f. prices exceed one shilling the consumption falls away very rapidly, and the small advantage tho dominion gets through the high prices does riot componsaie tor the reduced consumption. “Regarding beef, I do not think it worth while Now Zealand endeavouring to compete with South America, Australia, Canada, and the United States. I am strongly rf the opinion that New Zealand would do

better by building up a large export in frozen pork and bacon. Our dairying districts should turn their attention to tho raisin <x rl pigs. It would be more profitable than raising second quality beef. Wo shall then probably find that tho local demand will absorb all the good beef cattle available in tho dominion. Farmers must realise, however, that it would only pay to raise hogs of the very best breeds obtainable*. The dominion has nil the facilities and climatic advantages to build up great oxports in pork and nork products. I believe in a few yenrs' time we can export rovoral million pounds worth of pork and bacon."