DOMINION MEAT INDUSTRY

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1930, Page 11

DOMINION MEAT INDUSTRY

SHEEP RETURNS INCREASE ADVERTISING WIDENS MARKET. OPERATIONS OF THE MEAT BOARD By Tolesrtph.—-Press Association. Wellington, Aug 28. Important aspects of. the meat industry of New Zealand were reviewed by Mr. D. Jones, M.P., chairman of the Meat Producers’ Board, in an address at the annual meeting of delegates today. The sheep returns showed a steady increase, he said. The interim return at April 30 was 30,637,390, constituting a record for the Dominion. The latest lambing returns showed that tlx actual number of lambs tailed last season was 14,823,357. . , , , , During the season the board had exercised care in regulating shipments. When it was considered that the Dominion’s output of lamb and mutton, apart from beef, pork and sundries, amounted to approximately 9,500,000 carcases, all loaded at different points in the Dominion for dispatch for various ports in the United Kingdom, some idea could be gained of the work and responsibility entailed in shipment. The expanding lamb production of South America was noteworthy. In 1914 that country exported 837,000 lambs to the United Kingdom, whilst tnis year the shipment for March alone amounted to 866,000. "Having before us the fact that we are steadily increasing our output of lamb, we must keep pace by endeavouring to create a still greater demand to ensure, that the increasing supplies are absorbed,” said Mr. Jones. ' “In this connection it is interesting to note the steadily increasing advertis- . in<r activities. ; Our outlay under this heading for 12 months amounts' to £l3 049.” The way in which the British market was able to absorb all lambs being shipped there was wonderful It showed the increasing popularity of lamb, particularly when it was noted that in 1913 approximately 5,500,000 lambs were shipped to the United Kingdom from all sources, whilst last year’s figures amounted to 11.714,294. Mr. Jones reviewed in detail the steps taken in the United Kingdom to advertise. EFFECT OF AMERICAN TARIFF. The announcement of the passing of the Tariff Bill by the United States Senate was of great’ importance. The new tariff would practically nullify the board’s efforts to develop that market as an outlet for New Zealand meat. Maize production in U.S.A, was the main factor governing the supply of pork and cured bacon and hams shipped from U.S.A, to Great Britain, and it mmht be assumed from the cable messages which recently appeared in the Press that the recent drought experienced in the corn belt in the States would have a serious effect on the exports of pork, bacon and hams from the States. In regard to the pork industry it was pleasing to note that New Zealand -exports were being maintained, although this year’s shipments did not come up ; to last year’s. There was no doubt that the outlet for pork was gradually widening, and New Zealand pork was becoming favourably established at Smithfield, which was due in some measure, to the board’s specia 1 advertising efforts in the trade papers. It "had been the board’s policy ever since its inception to do everything possible to reduce costs, particularly recognising that the meat had come into competition with increasing supplies from foreign countries which were more favourably placed than was New Zealand, “The present low values obtained by farmers show that the position must be watched -o that if this low level of values continues it is also reflected in the various costs incurred by farmers, not only in producing fat stock, but . in the various costs intervening before the product reaches its ultimate destination,” said Mr. Jones. The board had accepted a new contract at a reduction of a further 2J per cent., which brought the new rates down to 15 per cent, off the rates obtaining in the 1924-25 season. The period of the contract was three years. The 2J per cent.' reduction represented a further saving to the meat pioducers of the Dominion of approximately £50,000 per annum. Mr. Jones stressed the importance, of j building substantial reserves, pointing j out that the weakness of most farmers’ organisations was that there were no funds in reserve. The board’s reserves were invaluable, particularly now when they were obliged to increase advertising and other outlays.