Untitled

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24685, 14 August 1941, Page 6

MEETING EUROPE’S NEEDS STUD, STOCK, AND PRODUCE PROBLEM FOR NEW ZEALAND The necessity for New Zealand to have a plan to meet the post-war demand for stud stock and produce to replenish the Continent of Europe was referred to by Mr C. M. Bruce in his presidential address to the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, at its annual meeting last night He referred to the great destruction in European countries and tq the desirability of Dominion farmers maintaining their stock and produce at the highest standard to meet any demands at the conclusion of hostilities. “The enormous destruction of flocks and herds'on the Continent of Europe leads one tp contemplate the post-war world-wide demand there is likely to be for stud stock,” Mr Bruce said. “ New Zealand is particularly well placed to participate in the demand. Not only do our stock acclimatise quickly, but they thrive in almost any part of the world, and I feel sure that studmasters will be prepared for" this valuable business when the time comes. Future of Wool

“ For the duration of the war. and one year after, the wool' position will be steady.” he continued. “There is. however, the possibility of a post-war surplus, and the problem for wool may be more difficult than it was after the last war on account of the competition with substitute fibres. It is, of course, impossible to say what surplus there will be. what markets will be available, or to what extent the world will be calling out for the superior natural fibre to replace its depleted stocks. “How long it will take to restore the finances of impoverished countries, or what will be the purchasing powers of potential markets we do not know.” Mr Bruce stated, "but growers must maintain their high standard of production. so that their produce will be in first demand when it is released on the world’s markets.”

The quantity of wool sold in New Zealand for the 1940-41 season was. Mr Bruce stated. 800,006 bales of greasy wool of a total value of £13.971,978, with an average value of £l7 9s 4d per bale, compared with 740,622 bales of greasy wool of a total value of £12,876,941, with an average value of £l7 7s 9d per bale in the 1939-40 season. This represented an increase of 59,384 bales, of £1,095,037 and of Is 7d per bale. During the same year, 140,780 bales of slipe wool was appraised at a total value of £3,301,103. It was a matter of interest that out of a total production of 800,006 bales of greasy wool appraised during the 1940-41 season, Mr Bruce added, 465,558 bales, averaging £l7 17s 7d per bale, were grown in the North Island and 334,448 bales, averaging £l6 16s 3d per bale, were produced in the South Island. The average weight per bale of the North Island wool was 3561 b as compared with 3231 bin the South Island, the difference in weight per bale accounting for the lower average price per bale. Problems of Meat'lndustry

“The lack of suitable shipping space is causing concern to those connected wtih the freezing industry.” Mr Bruce said, “ and it is hoped that the additional refrigerated storage accommodation which is now being provided will enable killing operations to proceed normally. The increase in the canning of certain classes of meat should help the situation as soon as additional plant for this purpose is available. We realise when these stuping difficulties present themselves how much we owe to the mercantile marine in these war times, and I think it is fitting that we should record our appreciation and admiration of the service it is performing during these difficult years.”

Mr Bruce stated that in the 1940-41 season 13,293,767 sheep and lambs were killed at New Zealand works, compared with 13,574.621 in the 1939-40 season. A decrease of 1,078,192 sheep and an increase of 797,338 lambs were shown. . In the past season 767,131 sheep and 5,396,331 lambs were killed in the South Island, and 1,375,526 sheep and 5,754,779 lambs in the North Island. Jn the preceding year 875,746 sheep and 5,073,062 lambs were killed in the South Island and 2,345,103 sheep and 5,280,710 lambs in the North Island.