MARKET REGULATION

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1935, Page 5

MARKET REGULATION

SUPPORTED BY MR. DUNCAN.

MEETING OF MEAT BOARD.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Aug. 29.

Mr. T. A. Duncan, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Board, in his opening speech at the annual meeting to-day. < said that his impression of the ’Britisn market was that it could not take an unlimited quantity of meat at a remunerative price to the farmers. Further, it was very important that supplies of the various classes of meat should be regulated to meet the requirements of the market. ' » After setting out the position under the Ottawa Agreement and the, short term and long term policy of the British Government, he referred to the part played by Messrs. G. W. Forbes and J. G. Coates at the recent deliberation at London, which were invaluable fiom New Zealand’s point of view. The meat policy laid down at Ottawa served New Zealand well and, unless New Zealand had a continuance of the quota system or what he preferred to call a quan- i titative regulation, it could not hope for stable or remunerative prices. The Meat ■>' Board had earned commendation of the United Kingdom Government and the English meat trade which wished other countries to follow its lead in regulating shipments and maintaining quality. It must be most satisfactory to New . , Zealand producers to find that as far as mutton and lamb were concerned a satisfactory plan of supply regulation had been adopted up to the end of 1936. They knew where they stood for the next 18 months. As far as beef was concerned, quotas had been arranged to the end of 1935. A long term policy had not yet been formulated, 1 but New Zealand had reached an agreement on most of the points with the United Kingdom, and it now remained to be seen how far the other Governments, which had been parties to the discussion, would also find the draft agreement acceptable. Owing to the fact that ,the negot'ations were yet incomplete, it was impossible' to make disclosures at this stage.

In regard to the ,pork situation, he said that he was sure that the quota of 12,500 tons for baconers arranged some time ago would prove sufficient for New Zealand Acquirements for 1935. The quota of 140,300 cwt. for porkers from July io December, 1935, might be just about enough for the requirements. A good deal depended on production this spring and the state of the market New Zealand had to recognise that the outlook was more favourable for expansion in baconers than in porkers and that New Zealand might have eventually to adjust farming activities accordingly. Referring to chilled beef, he said that, providing remunerative prices were obtainable and that the beef quota /would permit, he was sure that New Zealand could look forward to a .large increasing < development of the chilled beef trade in Jhe next few years. As a result of the London'discussions New Zealand was in a fair way towards getting to absolute freedom. In changing over from frozen to chilled lamb the distribution channels were extending, showing satisfaction with the quality. The spread .of meat supplies over as wide a geographical area. possible was important. All advertising material this year was specially designed to draw the attention of the pub- > lie to the fact that all New Zealand meat was branded “New Zealand” and none would be branded “Empire.” The retiring directors, Messrs. H. D. Acland and W. Ormond and ,Sir William Perry were re-elected. ’