THE MEAT-EXPORT POSITION.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XV, Issue 4, 20 October 1917, Page 235

THE MEAT-EXPORT POSITION.

At a meeting of the Board of Agriculture held early in the-current month the question of shipping and storage space for meat and.'dairy-produce was discussed with the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Minister of 'Agriculture, who was present. It was pointed out that, although the latest- sheep returns show a large increase in the-North Island, there has been a heavy mortality amongst hogget's, and the lambing in many ' districts is much below the average, which would probably do away with a considerable percentage of the surplus. The Board, however, thought it would be in the interests of the country that farmers be advised that, owing to the shortage of shipping, it would probably not be practicable to freeze and find space, for all the stock available, and that they be urged to provide winter feed wherever possible to rear any lambs that might be left over. It was also decided to recommend that farmers should retain the best of their long-woolled ewe lambs for breeding purposes-; also that arrangements should be made to tin a number of second-class fat old ewes, and in order that this might be done to request the Government to make inquiries as to the possibility of securing a good supply of British or American tinplates for the purpose. The Board also recommended that to ensure the freezing-space being occupied to the fullest extent with the primest meat- it was desirable that the Inspectors passing the meat purchased by the Imperial Government should be more strict as to the quality, so that only finished animals should' be killed and shipped.