FIXATION POSSIBLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20009, 7 August 1939, Page 6

FIXATION POSSIBLE

SOUTH ISLAND RATES

KILLING AND FREEZING

SOUTH L AND CONDITIONS

SURVEY BY -MINISTER

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. “The position of the meat industry in Southland, and in particular returns to producers, compared with returns for similar produce in Canterbury, has been under close review during the past 12 months,” stated the Minister ot Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin in an interview to-day. “It will be remembered that I made a statement in February last outlining conditions under which Southland freezing companies had agreed to operate. Throughout the whole of last season weekly returns were submitted to my department by all companies and operators and I am now in a position to judge the extent to whicli conditions agreed upon have been carried out.

“In the first instance, I wish to express my appreciation of the manner in which all concerned have cooperated with me in the supplying of necessary information. “Hopelessly Uneconomic’’

“It would have been too much to expect complete approval of all that has transpired. It is true that some adjustments in date of receipt of fat stock have had to be made at peak periods. This is not peculiar to any one district and it must be recognised that provision of accommodation to take all fat stock at the time it is offering would be hopelessly uneconomic. Some complaints have been received ' relative to allowance for by-products. Such points are ones of detail only and must not be confused with policy. Returns To Producers “In both Southland- and Canterbury prices realised per pound by producers have been in excess of schedules and slightly in favour of Canterbury. This advantage, amounting to approximately .01 Od per pound, is more than accounted for by the percentage and gross weight of Canterbury lamb falling into seconds; and which, on realisation value, are worth more than Southland seconds. It is significant to note that the percentage of seconds lamb in Canterbury was 35.6 per cent compared with 24.3 per cent in Southland.

“When we consider returns to farmers on a par head basis it is found that Southland lamb carcases weighed on the average of 2.3 pounds more than Canterbury lamb which gives an average head return of 10.158 din favour of Southland. “In view of the foregoing, I am satisfied that Southland companies and operators have paid fair and reasonable prices for Southland meat. “On the evidence of weekly and seasonal kill, I consider that Southland companies have provided reasonable and adequate facilities. I am hopeful that cool storage facilities will be improved by certain of the companies in the near future. Killing and Freezing Charges “Fixation of standard killing and freezing rates has been of definite benefit to farmer consignors and to operators generally. I regret that rates fixed for Southland works were not adopted voluntarily by Canterbury companies, and I am now considering the advisability of fixing rates throughout the South Island as a condition of a license. I do not consider it necessary to vary the rates which operated last season.

“Operators filled killing space to the extent of approximately 150,000 carcases last season, and I have decided that the conditions pertaining then should not be altered. “I wish to assure Southland producers that I will continue to watch the position in their district with the greatest of interest, but I am satisfied that Southland companies and operators will do everything in their power to ensure that a full and efficient service is rendered to Southland farmers. “It will be understood, of course, that the position will be reviewed at the end of each season’s operations on the basis of information whicli companies will continue to supply in line with that collected last year.’’