MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18954, 30 August 1923, Page 7

MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD.

THE YEAR’S OPERATIONS:. " GOOD WORK ACCOMPLISHED. __ , y ... (Peb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August. 29. The work of the Meat Producers’ Board and the position of the meat trade was re viewed at the annual meeting of the'producers’ delegatus. . The Chairman (Mr D. Jones), in moving the adoption of the annual report of the board (already published), emphasised the careful consideration by the board and the gradual introduction of reforms. The thing that really mattered in the trade was to secure the highest net price for producers. In this the board had been successful. The quality pf the meat was the first essential, lie regretted that a large quantity waa. still ■ second-grad j meat In face of the competition, vrhen the chief demand was for:,the primest article, grading must be tightened up at this. end. The Argentine competition was not formidable to mutton, as cattle liad replaced sheep since 1895 in the Argentine.. Mr Acland (Canterbury) congratulated the board on its operations. He thought that the levy should bo reduced, as the - fund was ample. He would ' like to see grading absolutely ruthless, as in Denmark, 'from ship to shop, which was the weakest link in the chain. . . The delegates generally congratulated the board 'on its success. ’ r Mr Mulhollancl (Canterbury) said that' hi& ■district, which was once the bitterest.opponent of the board, was now its warmest s’l.pporter. , ’1 '"i Replying, the chairman said that the levy could not bo reduced, as the money was required for an advertising campaign, inspection and unloading of meat cargoes in England, a display at the Empire Exhibition, and for other purposes. He urged- the farmers to take greater care in drafting sheep for tho freezer.. He attributed-, the success of ?he board to the possession of-its bompdlsory powers. Mr J. S. Jessep (vice-chairman), referring to the result of his visit to London, said the urgent main object of the board was to reduce-tho cost between producer and cor. sumer. He condemned the absolute multiplicity oi marks and the consignment of small parcels, which caused deterioration and damage to the meat, and consequently economic loss. If the quality were kept up New Zealand lamb would always retain its special value The report was adopted. The Chairman expressed the gratification of the board at the satisfaction of the producers. ‘ i ■ — V PRODUCERS 5 REPRESENTATIVES. I I'gß United Press \asoci<tion ■ WELLINGTON, August 29. The Electoral Committee of, the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, comprising delegates elected by sheepfarmera through--out the dominion, held an election tq-jdaj for the purpose of electing three producers representatives on the board, consequent upon the retirement of Messrs J. C. N. Grigg- (Longbeaeh, Ashburton), J.. S. Jessep (Wairoa), and William Perry (Masterton). All three were re-elected. TRIBUTE TO THE BOARD.; FREIGHT CHARGES LOWERED. SYSTEM OF GRADING IMPROVED. (Fbom Oub Own Correspondent.! ' i _ WANGANUI, August 29. Discussing the Meat Producers’ Board ata meeting of the Wanganui Meat Freezing Company to-day, Mr Ewan Campbell (chairman of directors) ' paid a tribute to the splendid work which was being done bv that board. .It had lowered freight changes both here and in Great Britain, and pad instituted a better tystem of grading. ' In tht past sonm companies had sent meat Homo that snould never have gone, and it had been put on the market only - to lower the,name of New Zealand meat. The board had also done good work in regard to the marks, and in this connection he read an extract as to conditions existing before the board started. In a shipment of 145,000 carcases there were 217 bills of lading,. 915 different marks and numbers, and 381 lota of 100 carcases and under. The board had increased the minimum to 300, and he believed it could still be made larger. Ho explained that small lots put together maka up 300, and as the meat was all graded in. the works in New Zealand; no one would lose by it His company never sent a smaller lot than 500, and he believed the -smaller lots generally came from works in the South Island.