THE PIG INDUSTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19914, 9 August 1927, Page 9

THE PIG INDUSTRY

DUTY ON FOODSTUFFS SUGGESTED ABOLITION Farmers’ problems and many other matters were introduced recently into a debate in the Legislative Council on a motion by the Hon. E. Newman, that in the opinion of the Council, in the paramount interest of establishing a pig products export industry, the question should be considered of remitting the Customs duty on maize and other food products necessary fqr the economical operation and development of this business. Mr Newman said something was needed to relieve the position of farmers, which was somewhat alarmijig. It was recently stated that 1500 farmers had left their farms during the last live years, and 463 had done so during the last twelve months. Efforts were being made to develop the pig products industry. He quoted figures showing that there was a grt»at market in Britain which could take all the Dominion could produce. The Danes had realised that the pig industry was naturally connected with the dairying industry. The quality of New Zealand pig products was right up to the mark, but the quantity was lacking. No progress was being made in the Dominion in regard to the industry. The fact was that pigs required a period of hard feeding, and the grains that went io that feeding could not be raised in New Zealand at prices that were payable. The area of maize crops bad decreased from 11,500 acres in 1921 to 8500 acres in 1926. Last year we had imported 5093 tons of maize, which had cost £38,200, of which £9668 represented Customs duty. Maize was 7s a bushel at present, and it did not pay farmers to buy it at the price for hardening pigs. If the duty were remitted it could be landed at 4s 4d a bushel at the main ports. They should follow the example of Denmark and put on the free list of all food commodities required for the raising of pigs. The industry would develop enormously if that one difficulty were overcome. They would not be asking the Government for any assistance other than that it should forego less than £lO,OOO in Customs duties.