MEAT PRODUCERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24699, 30 August 1941, Page 10

MEAT PRODUCERS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE COOL STORAGE POSITION 43 PER CENT. INCREASE (PA.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 29. Addressing the annual conference of the Meat Producers' Board, the chairman. Mr T. A. Duncan, said the latest position in regard to cool storage was that at the commencement of next season the cool storage available, excluding the freezing chambers, would represent a capacity of 253,000 tons of meat, an increase of 43 per cent, over the storage at the commencement of the war. He mentioned the difficulty the board had experienced in ensuring allotments of shipping space to afford, relief as far as practicable to enable each district to continue killing operations, while at the same time keeping in mind the paramount objective of securing the quickest turnround of ships. Maintenance of Quality

Speaking of quality. Mr Duncan repeated and emphasised what was stated in the annual report—that the altered conditions brought about by the war should not encourage farmers to ease up in their efforts to produce onlyHhe highest quality meat. Under the United Kingdom Government'sx meat plan, New Zealand meat branded as s.uch was now finding its way into new channels of distribution. j*d it was of the utmost importance . that the good reputation of New Zealand meat should be maintained. For these reasons, the chairman said, the board was continuing its grants to agricultural and pastoral associations for the annual district fat lamb competition and for the chiller cattle classes at various shows. In the, competition that would have, to be faced after the war the question-of quality was going to be of paramount importance. Sheep flocks Mr Duncan said that since the report was published the interim figures for the sheep flocks as at April 30 had become available. The total was 31,771,396, compared with 31,062,875 in the previous year, an increase of 708,000, made up of an increase of 793.000 in the North Island and a decrease of 85,000 in the South Islahd. Breeding ewes had touched the 20,000,000 mark for the first 'time, the figure being 20,040,665, against 19,727,657 last year, an increase of 313,000. This was accounted for by 350,000 more in the North Island and 37,000 fewer in the South.

FUNCTIONS OF BOARD

DENIAL OF USURPATION ; ■ ■". -- i ■ H. (PA.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 29. A denial that the Government ever had any ! intention of minimising the responsibilities or functions of the board in any way was made by the Minister of Marketing, Mr J. G. Barclay, speaking to-day at the annual conference in Wellington of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board. He referred, he said, to suggestions made in the press and the House of Representatives at different times that the Government was usurping much of the authority arid powers which should remain with the board. "Throughout the present war period the board has been rightly recognised by the Government as the official organisation of the industry, and as such has received the full confidence and co-operation of the Government," Mr Barclay said, "but it is obvious that the board cannot under the present emergency /conditions give that guarantee to the industry that alone can ensure continued stability. " The Government," he added, " has stood behind the industry in the agreement to purchase, irrespective of Whether the meat is shipped to the United Kingdom or not. Such an undertaking can be given only by the Government, backed by the financial resources of the country. I suggest that this conference ma,y be prepared to make an acknowledgment of this fact to clarify the previous statements which have tended to confuse those sections of the farming industry which are unaware of. the true facts of the position."

FREEZING OPERATIONS COST AND PRICE ADJUSTMENT URGED (P.A;) WELLINGTON. Aug. 29. The delegates constituting the Electoral Committee of the New Zealana Meat Producers' Board adopted the following resolution at' their annual meeting in Wellington to-day:— "That this Electoral Committee is more than disturbed at the evidence disclosed by the audited accounts of the freezing companies and urges the board, in the interests of the producers, to insist both on the uplifting of the schedule prices for meat and a reduction of the freezing charges for the coming season."