PORK AND BACON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22204, 6 March 1934, Page 3

PORK AND BACON

EXPORT PROSPECTS

IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRY

The importance of the pig industry and the openings for the export of pork and bacon were stressed by speakers at the welcome to visitors to the North; Canterbury Co-operative Freezing Company’s works at Kaiapoi last week. Mr David Jones, chairman of the Meat Board, was among those who remarked on the increasing development of the pig industry. “The pig industry is becoming an im- f portant one,” declared Mr Jones. “T always made the statement that pigs would never do anything in New Zealand until the farmers got hard up and it is because they are hard up that we are returning to the pig industry. In this connection figures prove interesting, for while up to this time last year 102,000 porkers were killed the total for the same period this year is 185,000. Furthermore for the period this year 38,000 baconers have been killed as against 37,000 for the same time last year. There is no doubt that the pig industry is going to develop. The protective policy of Great Britain ensures us a satisfactory price, and it is gratifying to note that the South Island is coming to the fore more and more, because pigs have a big future as far as New Zealand is concerned.”

During his speech of welcome to the visitors, Mr'J. H. Blackwell, chairman of directors of tbe_ freezing company, also touched on the subject of pigs. In tracing the advances made by the works he said that another new development had been an agreement entered into with the Pig Marketing Association under which the Kaiapoi works would be that body’s South, Island centre for killing, dressing, and preparing pigs. The organisation was well known in the North Island and was iiqw starting in the South Island, so that it looked as if farmers would have the opportunity of turning their attention to the development of the pork industry, which had been recommended to them by the Meat Board. To date New Zealand’s pork export had been negligible and nearly all of that was from the North Island, but there was now no reason why the South Island should , not assume its right place and develop its trade in pork and bacon, which both locally and overseas should be substantial. Mr R. W. Hawke, member of Parliament for Kaiapoi, also spoke strongly in. favour of developing the pork and bacon trade. Ho said that when visiting Great Britain seven years ago, he had realised that if New Zealand produced more pork and bacon she would have a fine outlet in England, where there was a large consumption. He pointed out that a sound system of pig grazing meant that a man with a 1 limited amount of capital could make a good living.