LOSS IS EXPERIENCED IN SHIPMENTS OF PORK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19117, 9 July 1930, Page 15

LOSS IS EXPERIENCED IN SHIPMENTS OF PORK.

“We have done the country some food and we are penalised for it,” said ’rofessor R. E. Alexander, Director of the Canterbury Agricultural College, at a meeting of the Board of Governors of the college yesterday. The marketing of pigs was the subject referred to by the director. “We have spent three years testing the markets of the world, and finding out just what they required in size, type, and quality. We have gathered a very great deal of useful information, but we have lost about t°n shillings per pig on the 500 we have exported in that time. We were actually selling at sixpence half-penny per pound, when the local market offered ninepence. On last year’s working, we made a few shillings on the whole lot, but had we sold locally we should have made ten to fifteen shillings per pig. “We made representations to the Department, explaining the work we had done, and asking for a grant to cover the loss, but all we got was, ‘Thanks very much.’ We are being penalised for doing the right thing. Practically no pigs are exported by private enterprise.” “I know people in the North Island who like the idea of starting an export trade in pork, but they will not start it till they have a chance to make a profit,” said Mr W. A. Banks. C. 11. Hewlett; It is excellent work we have been doing, and yet we are allowed to lose on it. It was decided to make further representations to the Government.