SCHEDULE FOR FAT LAMBS

Southland Times, Issue 24153, 15 June 1940, Page 9

SCHEDULE FOR FAT LAMBS

“CANTERBURY PRICES NOT HIGHER”

MR JAMES BEGG ADDRESSES PUBLIC MEETING The average price for fat lambs in Canterbury was not higher than it was in Southland, stated Mr James Begg, a member of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, in an address to a public meeting held at Gore yesterday. Mr Hemy Smith was chairman. Mr Begg discussed the workings of the board and at the end of his address several questions were asked. Mr Begg said that he understood there was some discontent about farmers receiving a higher price foxlambs railed to Canterbury than they would receive if the lambs were killed in Southland. However, he could not see where the difference arose as the only opportunity for speculation was in the sale of pelts, which went on to an open market. Taken on an average price, a man with well-woolled lambs would suffer, while the man with badwoolled lambs would gain. He could say that the producers in Canterbury were not getting more for their lamos than the producers in Southland. It was obvious that the Canterbux-y company concerned could not give any more than other companies, unless it was prepared to stand a loss, and had it been doing this it would have received all the stock, but the other companies were still receiving their share. He did not see how it was possible for the Canterbury company to give more. The killing charge in Southland was ,75d and in Canterbury it was .Bd. In Auckland the charge was ,65d, the lower charge there being made possible because of the enormous kill. Mr H. P. Mclntyre asked if Mr Begg could explain why so many sheep were being railed out of Southland. The increase over last yeax- had been conMr Begg replied that he did not think there was a vex-y large number of Southland lambs being railed north. On the other hand, he knew that last year a number of lambs had been brought from South Canterbury to Mataura. The Canterbm-y Frozen Meat Company had a very good market in London and it was quite possible that it had to go outside its own territory to fulfil its orders. Mr Mclntyre said he understood that more than 148,000 lambs were railed out of the province annually. It was a burning problem in Southland. Between £50,000 and £75,000 had been lost this yeax- and he thought that the board should come to Southland and investigate the matter. He was convinced that the farmers in Southland were not getting a fair deal and that was the reason so many lambs wexe being railed nox-th. Mr Begg said that the best check the farmers had was by putting their own stock into the works. It was pointed out by Mx- H. Horrell that the limit of 250 lambs on each consignment was the stumbling block to most farmers. He maintained that this should be reduced to 150. Mr Begg said that if the farmers wante ’ the figure reduced he was prepared to make representations in the matter.

WORKINGS OF BOARD At the beginning ox his address Mr Begg explained the workings of the board. The outbreak of war had put a new complexion on affairs, but he thought that the prices arranged had proved quite satisfactory. The board represented the producers and it was open to suggestions as to how improvements could be made. He explained the methods of election and said that members represented the whole of the Dominion and not just one district. The board was an outstanding example of producers’ control. Meat purchased by Great Britain was paid for when on board ship, Mi- Begg said. Payment was mad' to the Marketing Department, which in turn paid the owners of the meat. So far the meat had gone on board fairly promptly and there was no cause for complaint about paymc -ts to owners. While there was a little more meat in the stores than usual, it was not anticipated that there would be any conjestion. At the end of October it was quite usual to have 20,000 tons in stores. Mx- Eegg was thanked for his address.