DISPOSAL OF MEAT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 244, 9 July 1919, Page 10

DISPOSAL OF MEAT

MR. POLSON'S SUGGESTIONS

HEAVY STOCKS IN STORE

THE QUESTION OF PRICE

Suggestions for the disposal of New Zealand meat, made by Mr. AV. J.. Poison in a letter published by The Dominion ou Monday, have been discussed with interest by farmers and exporters. Mr. Poison said that the slores in Great Britain were full of meat nt the present lime, while tho consumption wns being kept at tho low war level by high prices and by tho new- national habit of substituting other foods for meat. Ho anticipated Hint there would be over 6,030,000 freight carcasses in store in Now Zealand nt the beginning of tho 1020 senson, when tho commamloer had ceased, and that the freezing buyers would bo required to opemto while the Imperial Government was still lifting tho old stocks. The farmers, under these conditions, would suffer

"It is reasonable to .isk," wrote 11 r. Poison, "that our meat should Ijo sold independent of American. If this wero donu it could bo immensely popularised at Home without reducing the price to the producer in this country. I suggest that our own authorities should concentrate their efforts on having this done, and that the Government should at once set up and send Homo a commission of leading New Zealand producers interested in and familiar with tho meat industry, place the position before ihe English authorities, aud endeavour to bring this about."

The accumulation of meat in tho stores of the Dominion has caused, nnd is still causing, farmers and exporters a great deal of anxiety. But thero ;'s considerable difference of opinion regarding the suggestion matte hy Mr, 'Poison. Tim stores are estimated to contain nbout 7.000,000 carcasses at Hie present iinie. This meat is the property of tho Imperial Government. It hns been bought and paid for, nud in itself need not cause the producers any further concern. But (ho meat is occupying space in tho stores, required for next season's killings, and its disposal in the future threatens to interfere with tho sale of New Zealand meat after the period of ihe Imperial purchase hns expired. Lick of knowledge of the intentions of thn Imperial Government regarding (his meat is one of the most serious difficulties confronting the exporters, who are looking forward to the resumption of their normal responsibilities next year.

_ The idea of selling Neiv Zealand meat in Great Britain at a price lower than the price commanded by American meat is not liked by representatives of tho producers. Tho claim of the farmer, expressed on many occasions, is thnt he ought to get (ho "market value" of his meat. New Zealand meat is boing sold to the Imperial Government at present far below the market value, as indicated by tho rates prevniling in Britain and America. It is. well known that the Imperial Government pays more than twice as much for American meat as for New Zealand meat, that the meat is pooled in tho Mother Country, and that the high price paid by the British wholesaler nnd tho stiil higher price charged the British consumer represent an enormous advance on the price received by tho New Zealand farmer. The farmers claim thnt their meat is fairly worth just as much as the American moat.

"Wo might secure an immediate advantage by selling our meat in England at 7d. or Bd. a. pound retail, while American and Home-grown meat was costing nearly three times as much," snid a representative of farming interests. "But I don't think the Imperial authorities would allow any such arrangement, and if thev did I don't see how tho sales could be arranged. Wo could not expect tho retailer to sell mutton at two prices in the earno shop. In any case, tho New Zealand fanner does not want to create an impression that his meat is worth less than other meat imported by Great Britain. Wo know that with an open market New Zealand mutton and lamb aro worth more than Argentine mutton and lamb. Our present grievance is that wo aro not getting a price that reasonably represents tho equivalent of tho price paid by thn wholesaler in tho United Kingdom. I believe that with a free market, we could solve our own difficulties, sinco buyers would prefer New Zealand meat to American meat on the ground of quality. Failing that, our Government ought to press more vigorously than ever for an increased supply of shipping. Steamers that belong to the New Zealand trade are still lifting Argentine meat." Eeduced consumption of meat per head in tho United Kingdom is regarded by exporters here as merely temporary. It was suggested to a Dominion reporter that tho reduced use of meat in Britain during tho years of war, when the coupon system wa9 in operation, was not at all likely to have made a pornwtiiint change in tlio habits of the people. The- present high prico of meat in Britain, and the continuanco of the rationing system in a modified form, have checked tho return to normal habits, but these conditions will not endure. There aro indications, moreover, of a demand for frozen and chilled meat from countries that havo not hitherto imported to any large extent. France is short of meat and requires to conserve her herds for tho replenishment of the ravaged districts. If Germany hands over ro Franco the stipulated quantity of live staci;, the position of Franco will bo strengthened, but Germany will have to buy abroad. Sweden in contemplating the importation of meat and some of the other fcUiall countries aro experiencing a. pronounced shortage. In fact, there are authorities in both Britain and America who nre predicting a world-wide shortage of nient.

It is certain that a very inrge quantity of meat: now in the New Zealand stores will "be carried forward into next season. But some authorities do :.ot think that the quantity will Ijo as great as 6,000,000 carcasses. A factor that Ims lecn hinted nt already is deterioration. The Imperial Government owns the meat, and it niay discover special reasons for hastening shipment. The supply (i ships at the present timo is fairly liirge, and if shipment ie continued at tho present rate during tho off months a substantial reduction wil'l 'bo effected in the quantity lipid in store. Exporters ore liot yet fiatisfiod that New Zealand is being treated fairly as compared with Australia, and thifi. point will bo lirousht undw the notice of Mr. Mnssny as soon as he returns. Tho allocation of freezing fsoaco to New Zealand is made in Australia, and the Australian freezing stores woto practically emptied in January Inst. Yet Australian importers are still Rettins; meat away, f-ovoral steamers sent to load in New Zealand.recently have arrived with part of their freezing space occupied by, Australian meat.