THE BACON EXPORT POSITION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 270, 12 February 1941, Page 4

THE BACON EXPORT POSITION

IN the year 1940, for the first time in the. history of New Zealand, there was a direct call from Great Britain for greater supplies of bacon from this Dominion. At this period it was plainly pointed out by those in authority in this country that the export trade under the particular heading had been especially fostered, but that greater supplies, while assisting Britain's food controllers, would mean, n much larger revenue to those in this part of the Southern Hemisphere who decided to accede to the best of their ability to the definite: request as placed before -farmers by the Government. The call for this extension of the Dominion's export trade was answered in a manner definitely creditable to the farming community, who doubtless will be ready to frankly acknowledge that their efforts have been more successful by reason of the bountiful season of 1940-41, during which the supply of milk has been so •splendidly maintained, thus enabling a large supply of skim milk being made available for pig food- Within the last few weeks, however* the Imperial Government, while deeply thankful for the successful New Zealand efforts, has been forced by the exigencies of the war position to make the statement to the effect that on account of a shortage of transport facilities there will be a lack of shipping for New Zealand meat, but that dairy, produce shipments, such as butter and cheese,, will not be unnecessarily delayed,. This intimation was quickly followed by arrangements being made for a gre&t increase in cold storage accommodation, but naturally there has been some perturbation in the minds of those who, in answer to the call, were supplying bacon products for Britain. The position has received the consideration of the New Zealand Pig Marketing Association, which has been informed from responsible sources that if a normal course was followed by producers in the sale of their live-stock, the existing storage, plus the additional emergency accommodation, would amply provide for this season's requirements. In respect to the Government's request that in future all baconers should be shipped in Wiltshire sides, the Association states that although the commandeer price for Wiltshire sides was Bid<, as against 7/2 d for carcases, because of the extra works charges and the removal of the heads, backbone and trotters> the net return to exporters would be substantially reduced. Against this, however, freezing companies' space for pigs would be increased by approximately one-third, while shipping companies would enjoy a similar advantage, which would be reflected in lower freight costs to the British Ministry of Food.