PIG MEAT PRICE INADEQUATE

Chronicle (Levin), 17 January 1948, Page 8

PIG MEAT PRICE INADEQUATE

NEW PLYilOUTH, Jan. 10. "Tliey nre appealing ior ihe production of extra pig meau l'or Britain, but aiiis is not the way to get it," said the president of the Taranaki JUistrict Pig Gouncii, Mr. T. J. JJavis, at New Plyniouth yesterday, when voieing the upinion ox pig tartners concerning recent aiterations in the paynients for pig meat. At a tinie wliei/every pound was wanted for export, the situation wab mo st discouraging, he added. Until October, pig producers were_ remuneraced at the rate of 8Ad a pound, plus a halfponny in the, i'orjji of pig crop sulisidy. Then, Mr. Davis explained, the subsidy was withdrawn and replaced by a halfpenny a pound cash, Lately the price was ineraased to 9£d a pound, "but," Mr. Davis emphasised, " at the same tiine the Government caneelied the freight subsidy of 12i per cent. and added 20 per cent, to railway freight charges,-thus practically wiping out the extra halfpenny and leaving us at the earlier price of 9d. " With the urgent call from Britain for food supplies, the Grovernment 's action was grqatly to be regretted, Mr. Davis commented. There could be no doubt that x^ig farmers could produce meat more quickly than other stoek raisers, Furthermore, it was accepted that ^)ig meat, pound for pound, had a highei; nutritive value than any other fprin of meat. Batli the Federated Farmers of New Zealand and the New Zealandjk, Pig Council exeeutive have made represexitations to the authorities to have payments for pig meats placed 011 a basis in which all costs are taken mto-ac-eount, but according to Mr. Davis the results .have been- disappointing. Pig producers are not allovving the matter to drop, liowever, and the situation is to be discussed at the month'ly meeting of the Taranaki Distriet Pig Council at Hawera next Wednesday. ,