WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1925, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

BEEF AND BAD ADVICE, (Special to “GuarcLi-ji”.) WELLINGTON, March 9. When the members of the Meat Board met and decided on their plan of campaign they decided to send one of their number to Britain and the Continent to examine the question of marketing of frozen meat, and Mr J. S. Jessep, Vice-Chairman of the Board was selected for the purpose. Mr Jessep made the tour and got hold of some ideas. On his return to the Dominion in January 1923. Mr Jessep said: “Regarding beef I don’t think it worth while N.Z. endeavouring to compete with South America, Canada. Australia and the United States.” Naturally the Meat Board endorsed this, the i-esult being that hundreds upon hundreds of "heifer calves and fine breeding cows were slaughtered. A gentleman closely connected with the meat ti'adc in Wellington, and not connected with the Meat Board, disagreed with Mr Jessep’s views in respect to lice I". He maintained that New Zealand must keep cattle, especially in the North Island, otherwis the land would soon deteriorate, and an outlet had to he found for this heel. The local consumption was large, but not large enough to absorb what was produced. He contended that it was a mistake to suppose that New Zealand could not produce as good beef as the Argentine—it could, hut the quantity was limited. The hulk of the beef was second grade and this could he marketed to advantage in Britain at certain periods. Events have proved that the advice of a Viee-Uresident of the Meat Board was faulty and that the gentleman who expressed divergent views was right. While the prices for mutton and lamb in the Smithfield market have declined, beef lias remained firm with a good demand. Unfortunately we have not the quantity of beef to export, in fact there is barely sufficient to meet local demands. We are not in a position to meet the Continental demand which is an expanding one. The results show how dangerous it is for amateurs to pose as experts. Mr Jessep knew very little about the meat trade before he went on his tour, but evidently considered himself an expert on his return capable of giving advice. We have to recollect that all the members of the Meat Board are novices at. the game, and the officials are about on a par. However, the Board cannot he held responsible for mistakes. The Act says so. EAT STOCK PRICES.

The drop in the prices of froraen mutton and lamb that has already taken place warrants a drop in the price of fat stock, according to an authority, but there has been no such drop in the Wellington district up to the present. The explanation given is that the financially strong exporters can stand a bit of a loss, but the smaller concerns will feel it. and the greater their loss tin; sooner will they he closed down. The small companies, to keep their machinery employed must, go oil buying stork and must necessarily pay as high prices as their competitors. These purchases are being made with borrowed money and most of this will show very small profits, if any. and il the prices go lower there will he a big loss. The restrictions of shipments imposed |, v the Meat Board moans the nceiiminitial ion of storks :,t this end. and if is quite a gamble ivlirll.ee this policy is going to prove the correct "no. U Khere is an advance in Smithfield prices it will ho quite good, on the other hand if there is a further fall H will mean heavier losses. It is to he hoped that the market, will advance, for no one would wish the freezing companies to make losses again this season. COMPULSORY EXPORT EGG BOOL.

The New Zealand Poultry Farmers held their annual conference in Wellington last week, ami it was resolved that the Government he asked to bring down legislation granting poultry farmers a compulsory Dominion egg pulp pool. In the course of the discussion a representative from Alanawtau said the poultry farmers were not making the profit out of the export trade that they should he making. The object ol export was to increase the price locally. This naive admission ol the intention of the poultry farmers to exploit the unfortunate city people through a control hoard is very entertaining. 'I he “ Evening Post” commenting on this says: “A surprisingly candid admission was made by a speaker at the New Zealand Poultry Association’s conference, when export control, measures were under discussion. Ibe object of export,’ he is reported as sayino- ‘was to increase the price locally. Many consumers, no doubt, have been of the same opinion hut producers have always advanced arguments to the contrary. Thev have said that if a big export trade could be built up local prices would not he higher, hut rather lower because production would he stimulated and supplies increased, if Mr P.rtiee fthe speaker in question.i does not agree with this we hope that he will make his views clear, especially when egg producers are seeking compulsory export, controlling powers and Government assistance in fostering export. The local market and its claims will then be brought prominently before the legislators. It is desirable that these claims should not he meiiooked, as they are liable to he, not |)v ogtx producers alone hut by pioduiers of'other food stuffs. Properly developed the local market will repay attention; and it is questionable whether it has in the past always had the same consideration that is given to the export trade/’