EXPORT OF MEAT

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1935, Page 7

EXPORT OF MEAT

VIEWPOINT OF FARMERS BONELESS BEEF QUESTION. EMBARGO SHOULD BE LIFTED. MARKET CORNERING ALLEGED. ( In a letter. written by the presidents of the Stratford and North Taranaki executives of the Farmers, Union, Messrs. T. T. Murray and H. E. Blyde, the Meat Board is urged to try to raise the embargo on the export of boneless beef to prevent manipulation, of the market and to improve prices. Copies of the letter, which was read at the Stratford meeting of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday, have been sent to the Minister of Agriculture, the Prime Minister, the Hon. J. G. Coates, the Hon. R. Masters and Messrs. W. J. Polson and S. G. Smith, M’s.P.

.‘-To-day ships are carrying to the British market bobby veal bought from farmers at meat meal prices—approximately 2s a head,” the letter says. “These shipments represent an enormous profit to the meat owners even after allowing for freezing and holding charges, creating the impression, even while the embargo was on, that the gamble was worth while.” A repetition of that state Of affairs was inevitable with boneless meat, as at present hundreds of bulls and cows were going to the local markets and being purchased at meat meal prices and, according to information, held in the freezing works for export when the embargo was lifted.

Those hundreds of cattle would be increasing in numbers during the next month or two when the culling of dairy herds would become general. As the result of drought conditions all over New Zealand it would be impossible for farmers to hold their cows, meaning that they would have to be sold at very low prices. The matter was one of grave concern to the daily districts and they asked that the chairman of the Meat Board interest himself in the matter and have the embargo lifted on that class of export meat arid sb tend to raise the prices. “You are no doubt aware from reports received from England,” the letter continued, “that the meat markets there are being manipulated by huge meat trusts for the definite purpose of cornering the markets. Should their aims be successful the position would be more serious still.”

It was. added that that class of meat in no way competed with the British farmers’ fat stock, so that even after 4 levy was made it would be cheaper than handing a huge profit to the exporting meat houses. Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P.J advised that he had been in touch with the Minister of Agriculture over the boneless beef question, but the difficulty of the Government was with the Meat Board, which controlled the situation and insisted that as “we are subject to a quota the most valuable meat must be shipped first.” How that discrimination was to continue without a pool he could not see. Negotiations were going on at present and they could only await the outcome. Mr. Murray’s action was confirmed and members considered that the dairy farmers should be represented. directly on the board. \