PORK AND BACON

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)

PORK AND BACON

INCREASED EXPORT TRADE PIG-GRADING SYSTEM. DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY. The development of New Zealand’s pig industry was discussed by the ActingPrime Minister, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, in the course of an interview last evening. He drew attention to the substantial increase in this season’s killings for export as compared with the killings for the previous season, and mentioned that a pig-grading system had been decided upon and that this would come into,operation very shortly. Mr. Coates pointed out that for the reason of seven months ended April 30 last 187,000 porkers and 50,000 baconers were killed for export, the total of 237,000 being sufficient to fill the refrigerated capacity of four vessels of average size. The total quantities for ' 1930-31' were 120,351 and for 1931-32, 115,440. CONSIDERATION AT OTTAWA. / It was recalled by the Minister that me possibility of extending the market for bacon and other pig products had been the subject of discussion and consideration at the Ottawa Conference, and it was then made known that the British Government would deal with the organisation of the industry and an effective policy of control of foreign imports would be adopted. In the letter which'he addressed to the Rt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin at the conclusion of the Conference, it was then understood Liat the British Government’s policy in this matter would provide for some expansion of Home and Dominions’ supplies of pig products. Mr. Coates also referred to the setting up last year of a committee associated with the Department of Agriculture, the Research Department, the Meat Board and the Massey and Lincoln Agricultural Colleges, the committee being representative of all interests connected with the pig industry. The committee, under the chairmanship of the general manager of the Meat Board, was charged with the responsibility of making a complete investigation of the industry with a view to determining upon useful recommendations that would serve to foster and develop pig management throughout New Zealand. A further recommendation required from and later made by the committee concerned the establishment of a system of grading pigs at meat export slaughter-houses and bacon factories. “A grading system has now been decided upon,” said Mr. Coates, “and it will come into operation very shortly.” FURTHER INCREASE EXPECTED. “While the development of the pig industry is to a great extent dependent upon the supply <sf dairy factory byproducts for food purposes, modern methods are assisting further expansion, and supplementary foods, such as meat meal and grain offals, are gradually being used to a greater extent. It is felt that the improved output of the present year can be maintained, • and I look forward to a further increase as time goes on.” • •

Referring again to the consultations at Ottawa, .-Mr. Coates said that it was now shown that the scheme for the expansion of both Home and Dominion supplies of pig products had been of benefit to New Zealand, and from his knowledge of the attitude of the Home authorities he felt justified in the belief that tliis would continue.