MATAKANA

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 26 February 1936, Page 2

MATAKANA

(Own Correspondent)

Pig Marketing Assn. Addbess

Mr W. N. Hastings, Dominion organiser of the N.Z. Pig Marketing Association, addressed a large meeting of farmers at Mafcakana on Thursday evening last. Mr Hastings dealt at length with (he destination of the pigs which are exported from New Zealand and illustrated his remarks' with'a short film. At present, said the speaker, the farmer was in a fog jis to what to produce. The buyers for the various firms each had a different ideal, caused by thfodifferent markets supplied at Home. These markets might be classified into three main divisions, namely, that serving the monied class, that for the middle class, and that for the working class. To obtain best results the pig farmer must produce for the upper class and for this market a first class article was required, jfc was therefore necessary to raise the standard in the g ading stores and aim at one certain type of carcass which fulfilled the requirements of the consumer. The success of the Danish marketing scheme lay in the production of an undeviated standard and absolute unification of flavour, quality and size.

In order to cut the costs of distribution, the P.M.A. has built a factory at Newcastle-on-Tyne. " Since our 'pi^iueats aie at present sent almost wholly to Scotland, this position is fairly central for all purposes. So far the scheme, together with a special 3-day cure, has proved eminently successful, hut in order for the products to reach the price of Danish bacon we must concentrate on unification as they do.

When asked as to what was the best type of pig to produce, Mr Hastings remarked that a big subject was opened up. A white pig is preferable on account of \the superior dressing qualities. Th.e_ wci o kfc bhpuiJ ' J>6 as near as possible to 1401b5., with a 21 inch back, not more than 1| inches of back fat, small hoiiad,'small hams and as little neck as possible. Failure to observe these details meant the production of a greater proportion of low-priced meat, which obviously adversely affected the farmers' re-

turns.

Mr Meiklejohn, the chairman, iv thanking Mr Hastings.for his address, appealed for greater support for the Association and stressed the benefits which the Association' had brought about in the way of increased returns to the farmers. Mr Melville seconded the vote of thanks' and asked Mr Hastings if it was possible to arrange for the showing of the first part of their film some time in the winter months.