MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20501, 31 August 1928, Page 12

MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. HEALTHY CONDITION OF INDUSTRY. (Pbb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 30. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board was. held at the Dominion Farmers’ Institute to-day. The president, Mr D. Jones, comprehensively reviewed the season, referring to the substantial advances in values, and said he anticipated that the present season would constitute a record in toe ; weight of frozen meat exported. He ; pointed out that up to July 31, 549,868 i more lambs were killed for export than in the corresponding period last year. The total number of lambs killed this year, ! up to August 15. was 5,943.104, compared with 5,382,300 for last season. The total value of produce exported for the 12 s months ended March 31 amounted to j £54,015,455, of which £31,185,195 was contributed by the sheep and cattle industry. There had been a steady increase in sheep, the interim return of 27,001,236 constituting a record. There was also a further increase in breeding ewes, which | was reflected in a notable increase m lambs. The latest returns showed that j the number tailed" was 13,179,445. The increasing use of phosphates for top-dress-ing was a most important factor contributing to the marked increases. It was pleasing to note the increased shipments 1 of frozen beef, and also the increased i values paid for cattle. There were good ■inquiries for frozen beef in New Tork I and Montreal, and considerable quantities had been shipped to those ports.- There' .was also a good demand from the army and the navy, preference being given to Dominion beef. The army and navy contracts, were invaluable to the industry. He stressed the importance of keeping herds free from foot-and-mouth disease. The report was adopted. One matter discussed was the boards wisdom in holding a cold store site in London, which was generally approved. Certain trouble with , ewes was brought up by the delegate from Piopio. It was , stated that the ewes wanted exercising, but the delegate was not satisfied. He ■wanted a cure for his sheep. Mr Jones promised that the board would go into the matter with the De- ; partment of Agriculture, j The sitting members—Messrs T. A. !’Duncan (Hunterville) and Adam Hamilton ,( Invercargill)—were re-elected. Those not elected were: R. S. Chadwick (Dannevirke), J. O. Coop (Little River), C. D. Dickie (Hawera), Robert Latter (Christchurch), and W. Morrison (Maxwelltown, Wanganui).