MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 20

MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD

RESULT OF FREIGHT REDUCTIONS. DEMAND FOR PORK. STATEMENT BY MR J. S. JESSEP. (From Ocr Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 10. The final result of the negotiations with the shipping companies which led to the freights on mutton being reduced to lid per lb, lamb, t-o lid, frozen sundries to Jd per lb, and pork Id per lb net, came into force on November 1. These prices, so far as mutton is concerned, were per lb be) ter than that offered previously to Mr Jessep on behalf of the Producers’ Board by the shipping com panics. The shipping comanies’ offers were declined ,by New Zealand, but accepted by Australia, and subsequently New Zealand secured id per lb better on riiut-ton. Australia immediately came back to the shipp’ng companies for a similar reduction. and yesterday it was announced that this reduction had been conceded. Unquestionably Australian producers have benefited by the efforts put forward by Mr Jessep on behalf of New Zealand. THE PORK TRADE. The New Zealand board’s work in securing a freight of Id per lb net on pork is nl-eadv having an effect in connection v.' ; lh fr rwa-d salex, several large concerns of Smith field having made sales of quite substantial parcels of frozen pork for December. January, and February shipments. The head of one large importing firm, in conversation with Mr Jessep yesterday, mentioned that the reduction in the freight had just made business possible, and they look m forward to developing a fair trade, particularly from the Auckland and Wellington provinces. There is unquestionebl---. Mr Jessep considers, a very large field for the development first, in pigs from 6))lb to 80lb weir'll*. to. say, 901 b, and the -New Zealand pigs which have come to hand so far compare more than favourably with the Argentine pig and the United States pig. In connection with export of pigs of larger weight for bacon curing, the demand in England is for long, lean sides. Thus to really fulfil all the requirements of the English market, farmers in New Zealand will have to pay special attention to breeding pigs which viil provide this type of pork. Mr Jessep has spent some time in inspecting in various parts of England the types of pigs which bacon curcrs eay provide them with the ideal carcase, and he is this week meeting representatives of several of the largest bacon curing establishments in England and discussing with them the particular types and weights they require and the methods of dressing. The recent Buccees of a New Zealand firm at the London Dairy Show has oome therefore at an opportune time. t STORAGE CHARGES. “I am still not at all satisfied,” said Mr Jessep, "with the rate of charges by the Port of London Authority for cold storage of meat and the charges on wool. This week I met the chairman of the P.L.A. Dock and Freights Committee, and the managers and’ statisticians, and had a- very long interview with them. I emphasised the fact very strongly that the Now Zealand producers os represented by the board were not at all satisfied with the present rate, that the cold storage chargee were out of all proportion to those obtaining in New Zealand, and I maintain that the cost of running oold,stores was certainly not less than it is here. With regal’d to the storage and handling charges of wool, I have pointed out very strongly that with the cessation of B.A.W.R.A.tq operations London will have to keep her charges within bounds or the bulk of New Zealand wool which is offered for sale in London is quite likely be diverted to other centres nearer to the place of manufacture.” ' Mr Jessep is leaving by the Aquatania on November 25, and will travel by way of New York, Chicago, and Vancouver where he will meet the American Associated Meat men With the present tariff of five ents per lb there is probably no immediate pros pect of doing extensive business with the United States, -but the feeling in America is quite frankly of the opinion that) trade will develop to a certain extent, and any change in the tariff may lead to quite a fair business being done. It is with the object of getting this business put on a permanent basis that Mr Jessop'is. meeting the principal meat men in the btates.