BACON INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1926, Page 4

BACON INDUSTRY

FA RAIERS’ 10-OI’KKATION N EC'ESS A I?,Y. There is a keen demand for hrslgrade nigs in the Old Country, and it would appear that the time is not far distant- when I'arnwi's throughout the Dominion will combine in a big cflort to establish an export trade in the bacon industry. IRREGULAR SUPPLIES. A representative of 11 prominent meat importing company in Loudon was recently in X-.-w Zealand, and asked for a supply of 2JOO carcases of (irstgrade bac-oners per month tor a period of twelve months. The company approached was quite prepared to supply 2000 < an-asses a month at this time of the year, but could not give a guarantee it' to a similar supply for the period mentioned. Thus, for the lack of assurame of continuity of supply, negotiations fell through. This effect has led to failure in tiny effort t) organise an export trade in the last, and until exporter', in the Dominion can definitely c.-surt- a continuous supply of baeoner-. run ;tf tempt to export mi a large scale is unlikely to silt-iced. WHO GETS THE 1)1 FFER EXI F. ? The farmer in New Zealand unices that first-class bacon i- fetching wholesale. Oil per lb. e.i.f. in London at the present time, and on the assumption that 2.td pm- lb. covers nil charges of export, including killing, curing, dressing, and other expcn.-ei at this end. considers that he should receive at least (Ltd tier lb., instead oi •s<l or .std or perhaps (id per lb.

Lit conversation with one well vers vil in the bacon industry :i tu-wspape representative was given t.he view's o both parlies interested in the expor business. "At lirst sight the farmer' contention may seem quite correct." he said, ‘•lnn the average man oj the land does not reckon with the difli cullies ol the exporter or wholesalei such ns abattoir organisations, shin

- ping trouble, cool storage, and man, >' other hindrances, all of which mean dr 'J lay in export and shrinkage of Hi carcase, which a considerable deet'eas „ in weight. From the fanner's point o s view there is something to lie said i g favour of hi.- asserting that there i- to '■ great a disparity between the orbpaid to hint and that at which He product Is sold on tbe market especial K win I tile large quail lily of pi-gs handled by tin- ilitfcroii (oiitpauies, l hose i oueei'ns make prae i i ieal use of the various by-prod nets and thus there is little waste material 11 'The cost rf 2! per lb. has been br.se, on a small number ~f animals, am j. could perhaps be slightly lessened won _ there a large quantity of swine To Ik i handled, such as would be the ra-e il a permanent expert (lade w.-tv i-tnn. i lixhcd. ' “'lt i' eouiiuon know ledge among . 1 1 hose on the land that tin l ennnuiniew hh!i dispose ol I aeon overseas tal c a eeriain amount of risk a, rog.inj. tluetualiins m the market prices,'' ' n!l hided iha informant. -‘but i a I'niers do mu eoir-ider that thev sboi-.d bear the el targes in this respect, a-s ill all business of the kind there is j Unit element of speculation." differences HINDER progress! " hilst the lanner demands a larger reward tor his labours, am! the eompauies stand (heir ground, the prospects of selling up the desired export trade remain remote, and as a result New Zealand has made practically no progress in the matter of accomplishing what is .stated would be one of the most prolitable ventures if pursued on jjfopf-r lines. Giit-tliroat competition amongst the various companies and bv k ol (o-opera.t ion in the ranks ol those who rear pigs, are declared lo he iuM its rhe its p'.’cr, tlio Inrnifr jivnlry or-fUf hii-clj n! n»<* ;i\'pr:i;.c luniipr’s nllfMitioit. ami (|i.srr)ur;t<iinrr fii »ll m any desire In- may have to see tin, industry fliiiirisb. Y-Gl’f‘l A IXi ! I.OCA!, OFAIAXIIS. Unit'- receitllv on,-, fariner was staled lo have remarked : " AYeJI. if we have 1,1 we on,- I away we will do so lu our own loll.:." His remark about giving them away was iJiviou.sly a relerenee to the low price received. 'This may lie the viewpoint of only a smal! section of the farming community. but i! seems that there is an oi,inmu prevalent amongst the majority of those who rear pigs Umt the local trade comes lirst. At the present time, after supplying this tln-re is little stud' left lor export, hut the authority in the industry already quoted explained that among* other sections ol farmers there existed the idea that the export trade came lirst and local supply second, as in the ease of frozen meat. ' 110-v----ever." im suggested, “ perhaps the pig breeders have placed the immediate reqitirmenfx of the Dominion in the foro-( ground lo the detriment of its futuie. but no doubt such views would be altered were the ,|eired prices foil In omiug. ’’ There is amongst, the farmers who are at all interested in pig rearing and the great possibilities of a big overseas market a quie- a-gitation at the present time in regard to baron prices, and as a result it: is thought finite probable that in the near future there may he some development In the industry. Tt is staled that if the farmer IC,---! \’C'S what he considers a satisfactory lew-ud for his labours there will he ample supplies to meet requirements. If s. eh supplies were available it is thought that the increased business voul! enable bacon companies to cut down handling charges.

The question, it is stated, resolves itself into: " AVIto is going to rake the initial step? AVill the farmer increase his supplies on the chance of a greater reward or will the companies pay a higher price to encourage more extensive production ?