FROZEN PORK INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1925, Page 4

FROZEN PORK INDUSTRY

ADVANTAGE TO WESTLAND farmers.

As an experiment in the comparison of amounts received, and the advantages gained by fanners consigning their pigs through our local Central Dairy Factory for transmission ill a frozen state and sale to Canterbury, a trial lot of about 100 pigs was made this season. The returns were submitted to the meeting of Directors of the Factory on Friday, and the figures produced by the manager and othcis interested, disclosed a very satisfactory state of affairs in favour of the proposition in comparison with results obtained on the open market, when the pigs were torwarded in a live condition to* Addington Saleyards. Iwo directors handed in receipts showing nett average returns of about £3 per pig on the farm from Addington sales, whilst the similar amounts receive! by the frzoeii method, showed an increase ol about 5s per carcase better. It was mentioned hv a director that pigs were being bought by the bacon companies and about (id per lb. was given for live pigs, but 2/V per cent, was deducted, lie ami others at Koilernngi had experimented with this idea, hut results had more than satislied them with the extra advantages obtained through the dead weight system by the Central Factory method. It was considered the results were hi<ddy satisfactory, and the advantages'of the Westland Dairy Coy to the farming community had been considerably enhanced by the establishment of the new industry. It was hoped l<> further increase the returns by reduction in some of the charges made. II appears the railway freight on live pigs is about 2s Id per head, whilst just Oil Is per carcase was imposed on the dead carcases. Those present thought, considering the extra work entailed by the Department in handling live consignments. as compared with the simiI.to method of transmission in a frozen condition, the charges were unrensunahle. and seemed without lair comparison. A letter is to he forwarded to the authorities on the matter, and doubtless the position will he reviewed. It was thought also the Borough Council could easily, and additionally to its own interests as well, hell) the new industry by reducing the killing lees on large consignments. Reviewing the position, the estahlisanient of the frozen pork industry should prove ol considerable monetary value to the district, for not only, as gleaned from facts supplied at the meeting, is the farmer to receive increased returns for his products, but a fair amount of money will be received by local consumers as well. The Borough Abattoirs will gain a substantial increase in profit, and the dairy tactory similarly participating will have available a further sum for distribution, Lo suppliers.