BRIGHT OUTLOOK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19248, 13 February 1937, Page 5

BRIGHT OUTLOOK

MEAT EXPORT TRADE XjH, ■ l 1 - ■ HIGH - QUALITY ESSENTIAL REPUTATION OF LAMP. CHILLED BEEF PROSPECTS (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. The improved outlook for the New Zealand meat export trade .was commented on by Mr. T. A. Duncan, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers Board, who, returned to Auckland ‘by 'the' Rangitiki : yesterday. Mr. Duncan, 1 and Mr. J. Fraser, _ the general manager of the board, who accompanied him, acted in 'an advisory capacity with the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. \Vi Nash, during his recent discussions with the British Government regarding the supplies of meat for the United Kingdom.

“Market negotiations between the two Governments were practically completed, as' far as New Zealand is concerned, before we left • London,” MV. Duncan said. “As it is ai},. official matter. , I am .undbTe to gfvo any'indication of tire result; or to suggest future trends in the meat export policy. An announcement will doubtless be made by the Government as soon as. the position is settled. However, I can say that Mr. Nash handled the pegotiations with the Brit-, ish Government in an efficient manner.”

Commenting on various aspects of the meat export,trade, Mr. Duncan said that there was still a marked improvement in trade conditions in Great Britain. A large expenditure on armaments was undertaken in Britain, and the prospects for at least the maintenance o the' existing price levels for meat were particularly Bright. PREMIUM FO’R LAMB ' “The Dominion’s mutton and lamb trade is in a very healthy state,” . Mr. Duncan continued.' “Our lamb continues * to receive a substantial premium over that of our competitors, but if we are to maintain this position we must continue to breed and fatten for export only the very best quality. “Where Southdown rams are .used for crossing to breed fat lambs, none but , the best should be employed. Combined with good cross-bred ewes, they give an ideal carcase for the English trade. .‘‘Chilled beef from.the Dominion continues to be well received in Eiigland. aud is gaining wider popularity on account of its eating qualities. However, 1 saw some .quarters which did not arrive in a satisfactory condition on account of the long, voyage and the lack of finish before slaughter. •‘These defects can be largely remedied. My opinion is that- chilled beef from unfinished, flabby cattle does not stand up to the long transit nearly as successfully as that from well-finished cattle.” Me. Duncan said he had seen, at •Smithfield market, chilled beef from the Waikato £>how. It arrived in excellent order, and met with a good sale, but it ■ could not compare with the special Christmas display shipped from Argen--1 “ tine. The conformation of .New Zealand cattle appeared to be'much more irregular.' TYPE OF CATTLE “I had the opportunity to taste this .Waikato beef,” Mr* Duncan added, “and it ate excellently. I am sure that If we breed a good short-legged, thickfleshed type of cattle of good quality, and finish them well, we should be more than able to hold our own with / our competitors. ‘‘The percentage of cattle in the Dominion which can be used for breeding high-quality chillers is not large enough and, in my opinion, this is one reason why we should consider lifting *the embargo on the importation of stud stock from Great Britain. We must recognise that our competitors are continually striving for improved quality in their herds.’’ The system of quarantine for, stud stock was discussed by Mr.. Duncan. He suggested that it would be possible to overcome the objections' in New Zealand against the lifting of the existing • embargo on imported stock by extending the quarantine period in the Uommion. At present stock could come through Australia, but the extra cost was- so heavy that it almost prohibited importations from Great Britain. The British quarantine regulations prior to export were most thorough, and there was no chance whatever of diseased beasts, being permitted to leave England. MUCH DISSATISFACTION -'•‘There is a good deal of dissatisfaction among English stud-stock breeders - over this matter.” Mr. Duncan said, 1 ‘‘and the position should not be allowed to continue. Ultimately it may prejudice us in our meat trade with Great'Britain. Is personally have no axe to grind in the matter, and am putting forward my views purely in the interests of New Zealand and the future of our meat trade.” Mr. Duncan mentioned that Dr. A. J. M. Smith, scientist at the Cambridge low temperature research station, had accompanied Mr. Fraser and himself to New Zealand with the object of carrying .out further investigations into tne carriage of drilled beef and other matters. Discussing the market prospects for pigs, Mr. Duncan said that New Zealand porkers were well thought of by the trade in Great Britain and the grading was satisfactory. The sale of porkers was expanding well, and the present free competition, together with the meat Board's adyer- ■ rising, was having the effect of increasing consumption. Bacpners, however, could be improved, particularly with regard to breeding and selection. He had heard complaints in London regarding the presence of too nianv over-fat and short pigs.