The Slump in Reef.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1922, Page 3

The Slump in Reef.

UOAY THE SITUATION MAY BE RELIEVED. The beef market in the United Kingdom has for some time been flooded with large supplies from South America and in consequence the prices realised f: r frozen beef from New Zealand have been in many cases insufficient to meet the cost of freezing and freight. Farmers of this country cannot continue to breed and fatten cattle without at least covering tlie prime cost, and the consequent limitation of breeding and the slaughter of calves at birth will result in an extremely serious position from a national standpoint. There are at present a very large number of prime fat cattle on the farms of New Zealand for which there is no demand, and until these animals are cleared away by export or by local consumption it is not possible to rear the young stock which are so necessary to maintain the Humber and quality of our herds. With the great increase of dairying on pa-stores previously devoted to cattle fattening, it is now imperative that every encouragement should be given to farmers not only to maintain but to increase their herds on the higher country. It might have been expected that the fall ill the price of beef (tor the local market is affected by the British) would have induced a greater demand for this class ol meat here, but there has not been this experience. As a matter of fart, there is only sufficient beef raised in N"w Zealand to supply the Dominion’s own population it we were as great eaters of beef as we are of mutton. Beef iy equally as nutritious as a food, and probably more economical in its use. If the housewives ol New Zealand would decide to substitute beef tor mutton on certain days, they would assist the prosperity of tlie country and yet benefit themselves by changing i In-ii- diet. The price of beef would

not lie raised to them by this increased demand; it would only mean that farmers would lie able to dispose of their fat cattle at local current rates in the snlevards and replace with young slock .which would otherwise not be lord or which would be slaughtered at birth. At tlie same time, more sheep and lambs would he left available for export to Britain, at a time when there is a good demand at Home for them •it a remunerative figure, and for tin* increase of our sheep flocks. On much of the grazing country of New Zealand, particularly in the North Island, it is very necessary that cattle should he run alternately with slice)) to keep up the quality of the pasture, otherwise deterioration «>• both the country and the sheep is certain. The last interim return of flip sheep flocks in the Dominion shows nearly a million decrease in the last twelve months, whereas it is very desirable that the reverse should he the experience at a time when'the worlds consumption is increasing and niaikets are extending for mutton and lamb. It is suggested hv the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, which has gone carefully into the question, that if the people of New Zealand w ould I allow the course suggested and buy beef, oi •It least lmv more beef than in the pas', instead of' mutton and lamb, they would greatly assist the country. This "might very well he view ed a> a national necessity—a national movement designed for a national benefit. «U(.li movements are often heard oi mi other countries where industries are threatened and where disaster to national finance follows upon their extinction. It is a imminent m wine i every citizen of the Dominion «'l > has 'his or her country’s welfare at heart can assist. The idea of such a campaign may he new to this count r.\, lint the spirit which should assist its success is not.