The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1939. MEAT EXPORT TRADE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20002, 29 July 1939, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1939. MEAT EXPORT TRADE

la view of the uncertainty of conditions for the marketing of New Zealand mutton and lamb, this year's report of the Meat Producers' Board is of more interest than usual. Of para-

mount importance, of course, are the restrictions that have been imposed by the British Government, and it is a matter for disappointment that the board has not only not been able to throw any new light on this question but is also unable to suggest what steps might be taken to meet the position. The board does emphasise the point previously made, however, that it was unfortunate for New Zealand that the year 1938 should have been taken as the basis for this year’s export quota. In that year New Zealand’s exports of mutton and lamb were particularly small, whereas this year killings constituted a record. That 1938 was taken is clear evidence that the restrictions were discrimina-

tory against New Zealand and the board offers no explanation as to why New Zealand had to submit to such an injustice. Even more disconcerting is the fact that it is as yet unable to make any decision as to future action to meet the position brought about by the restrictions, as “action will depend upon a number of factors that cannot yet be finally determined.”

In other words, the board makes it all too clear that the uncertainty in regard to the Dominion’s most valuable industry must continue. Uncertainty, in fact, might almost be accepted as the keynote of the report, because in various connections the board refers to the difficulty of judging the position and the .prospects of the industry. For instance, it is revealed that the decision not to restrict killings on account of the imposition of an export quota was based on the assumption that the exceptionally heavy killings early in the season would ease off, but it came "as a surprise to the whole trade and to the board when killings for the month of April proved to be again heavy,” and it became apparent that there was going to be a

record weight of mutton and lamb. Tims it is shown that calculations made even half-way through the season could not be accepted as reliable. If it is not possible to judge the prospects even a few months in advance it must be apparent that any efforts to plan and control the • industry for

years ahead must be a virtual impossibility. The point is significant and important for it demonstrates the difficulty of even attempting to regulate supplies at t!ie point of production and illnstratcis how vitally dependent the Dominion is upon a free market for its primary produce. This position is referred to, directly or indirectly, in various sections of the report. On the first page it is stated that there will be a record kill of lambs and that increases in mutton and other classes of meat will make the season generally a record one.

This position, it is suggested, is largely duo to climatic conditions, which, of course, are not subject to regulation or control. The initial problem of excessive killings brings others in its train. It is explained, for example, that the greatest care has had to be exercised in the regulation of supplies for the British market, and this, in turn, has meant that the storage capacity of the freezing works has, in places, been severely taxed. The position is that stock must be killed when it is ready or according to the condition of the pastures: it must go through the freezing works and ultimately it must be shipped to the only market available, that of Great Britain. Up to the point of marketing the process cannot logically be checked, since it is dependent upon natural and climatic conditions, while, if it is checked at the marketing point the whole of the process must be seriously dislocated. The lesson, surely, is that the Dominion should do everything possible, make almost any sacrifice, in order to secure unrestricted entry to the British market. In the exceptional circumstances that prevailed last season it is impossible to read the board’s report without a sense of admiration of the excellent work that has been done. At a total cost of less than £70,000, which represents less than one-half of one per cent of the value of the producehandled, the farmers of the Dominion have received a wonderful service from their organisation. The general administration costs, including grading and the supervision of shipments, total less than £25,000 for both the London and New Zealand offices, and a further £9OOO is accounted for by exchange on remittances to London. The chief item of expenditure is publicity in Britain, and the board’s report is deserving of study for this aspect alone. At a cosj of under £34,500 a wonderfully efficient and successful advertising campaign has been conducted throughout Great Britain. This expenditure, in the nature of things, is an item the return from which is ncapable of accurate estimate, but it s only necessary to consider the many avenues that have been exploited to realise that the money has been well spent. For an industry that is selling produce valued at £14,000,000 or £15,000,000 a year to be able to secure adequate publicity at a cost of £34,500 is an achievement in itself, and the work in this connection alone would justify the existence of the board.