WEALTH FROM THE LAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 177, 28 July 1928, Page 6

WEALTH FROM THE LAND

Meat Board Reviews Profitable Season for Producers Having completed its sixth year of operations, the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, in its annual report, released to-day, paints a rosy picture for the farmers of the Dominion, whose interests are in any way affected by the meat export trade. Not only has there been a substantial advance all round in the values obtained, but the number of sheep in the Dominion at April 30 last had increased by 1,352,220, as compared with the previous year, constituting a record.

A survey of the position indicates that the export figures for meat will show a considerable advance over those of recent years and many constitute a record. The number of lambs killed up to June 30 last was 475,295 more than the total for the same period last year, and there was a marked increase iu the beef and pork killings, with a decrease in wethers. Not only has there been an increase in the prices obtained for meat, but there has also been a substantial advance in the values received for woo], hides and pelts. The Dominion’s wool cheque for the 12 months ended March

31, .1928, amounted to £16,691,385, compared with £11,915,781 for the previous 12 months in an increase of £4,775,604 In this connection it is interesting to note the annual value of the sheep and cattle industry, as measured by the export statistics for the 12 months ended March 31. 1928: £ Frozen meat .. .. 10.148,312 Wool 16,691.385 Hides and skins .. 2,687,541 Other by-products .1,657,959 Total 31,185,197 The, climatic conditions in most parts of the Dominion were fairly satisfactory for the fattening of stock, although in the early part of the year the continued dry spell in the Auckland and West Coast districts of the North Island gave farmers much concern. The report states that the Board has continually kept in view its policy of endeavouring in every way possible to widen the channels of distribution, and each year, consistent with the increased output, new outlets have been found. For some years past the unsatisfactory condition of the cattle industry had been a matter of concern, but it was p'easing to note the increase l:’f;t season in the shipments of frozen beef, and also the increased prices paid for cattle. North American Marker. During the. year there have been g< . inquiries for New Zealand frozen beef from New York and also from Montreal, and considerate quantities have been shipped to these and other ports. There has also been a strong demand for Dominion beef in Groat Britain, which, combined with the demand from other markets, and the increased value of hides, has raised the values for tat cattle throughout Now Zealand. The preference given to Dominion beef from large contracts for the British Army and Navy has been invaluable to the beef industry. The settlement of the disagreement among the South American beef shippers has also been a factor in the improvement of prices. In connection with the export of moat from South America to the British, market, the increase in the lamb shipments has been noted and the Board stresses the necessity for every endeavour being made on the part of the New Zealand producers to keep up the quality of the Dominion article. The large increase in Britain’s consumption of lamb is an important and interesting fact recorded by the Board. Despite record supplies in 1927, the current. year started off with a comparatively small carry-over of lamb stocks in the stores in Great Britain. The advantages of the Board’s policy of regulating shipments, thereby keeping up a continuity of supply, are also dealt with in the. report. The authority exercised by the Board over shipments is thought to be probably the most valuable work it has undertaken. Market Beports Regular advice as to market prospects and conditions is received by the Board from its London manager, and in addition reports are received by the Board’s representatives in other meat producing countries. “With, each succeeding year, bringing with it new and varying trading conditions, the Board is more than ever confirmed in its conviction that there, must always be some central authority to undertake this important duty,”

states the report. In the direction of improving the West of Englund service this season, the Board has arranged with the shipping companies for more vessels to be put on for loading to these ports. The Board has also specially arranged that many of the additional vessels should load for both London and West Coast ports, and this, it is thought, should prove of great advantage to shippers and nclp the development of the trade iu the West Coast ports. During the past season the Board’s supervising graders have reported luost favourably on the standard of grading at the various freezing works throughout. the Dominion and the report, states it- is particularly pleasing to note that the work of the supervising graders is now being fully appreciated by the Trade in. the United Kingdom. The cold storage rates in Britain are a large item in the costs which the producers of the Dominion have to bear in the marketing of meat, and the Board has referred to this matter in its previous reports. For some considerable time the Board made repeated representations in the matter to the owners of the cold stores in London, but without satisfactory results, and eventually the Board decided to purchase a site on the Thames, adjacent to Smithfield, with a view to building its own store. Since the purchase of the site, however, negotiations were entered into between the London cold store owners and the Board, which finally resulted in total reductions in the rates of 1925 of 10 per cent off the first month and 20 per cent off the second and subsequent months.

The Board estimates that these reductions from rates operating in 1925 will represent a saving to the Dominion of approximately £50,000 a year. Under the arrangement made, the Board, undertakes not to erect, or operate directly or indirectly, cold stores in ' Lain during a period of three years. Americaji Embargo Regarding shipments to North America, the report points out that at the present time there is an embargo prohibiting the importation into the United States of any meat from countries where foot and mouth disease is in existence. Under this order the whole of Europe and South America arc precluded from shipping meat to the United States, so that practically speaking, Canada, New Zealand and. Australia are the only countries outside this embargo.

A consignment of beef, mutton and lamb shipped to New York showed that there is a demand there for Dominion frozen meat, but there is a greater prejudice against frozen meat in the States than in Britain, due to the fact that the United States so far has had plentiful supplies of fresh meat. Until this prejudice is broken down, there will always be a fairly solid price discrimination as between frozen and fresh meats in the States.

It is also nfentioned in the report that having in view the possibilities of a market for New Zealand beef in the United States, the Board is at present investigating the question of making a trial shipment of chilled beef to that market. Dealing with the pork industry, the report shows a substantial increase iu the export figures. From October 1, 1927, to June 30, 1928, 118.556 porkers and 27,485 baconers wore killed for export, against 50,802 porkers and 35,424 baconers killed to the same date the previous year. New Zealand is now exporting considerably more porkers than baconers, and special efforts arc being made by the Board to advertise Dominion pork. The remainder of the report deals with experiments in the freezing and storage of meat, advertising and general matters. The report will be submitted to the annual meeting of delegates constituting the electoral committee, to be held on August 30 at the Dominion Farmers’ Institute, Wellington.