PIG INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1927, Page 4

PIG INDUSTRY

FARMERS ’CONFER. DISSATISFIED WITH SUPPORT. WELLINGTON, Sept. 21. Recently the Dairy Farmers’ Union which has keenly interested itself in tht New Zealand pig industry, wrote to members of the Dairy Control hoard and Meat Board and asked: “Will you do your utmost to support tho obtaining of the introduction of the Paterson stabilisation scheme relative to the pork and bacon ' industry. or in the event of the scheme not being introduced, will you support a Government subsidy?”

Replies had been received from eight members of the Dairy Control Board, mostly promising support, but in two or three eases stating that they knew nothing about the proposal, or that it was not one for the board to deal with.

No replies came from the Meat Board and the chairman of the union, at a meeting, said he could not understand their reason for not answering, “because pork is meat, although grown by a dairy farmer. I am also surprised that some of the Dairy Board members knew • nothing of the pork business.”

Mr Small objected to approaching the Government for a subsidy. In any case was it worth while bothering with the present apathy of farmers, ilf they did not want pigs, why go to any trouble? “They will be interested very soon,” said Mr Short. Mr Small said a. meeting was held recently in Palmerston North to help tht industry, and beyond the executive only one or two disinterested farmers attended.

Mr Bovee: We seem to go to the Government for everything. The chairman : But a subsidy is only wanted until the industry is put on its feet.

Mr Boyce: There .is no bodv of men in New Zealand who take less interest in their business than the farmers. I get fed up sometimes. The chairman, explained wlmt lmd taken place at the recent conference in Palmerston North and the endeavour that had been made to get till dairy companies interested. It was doubtful if file Paterson scheme would work after the' export trade reached over 50 per cent hut by that time New Zealand pigs would be established on the Home market. The subsidy was wanted to start tho movement.

Mr Small thought the surest way to get the industry going was to punish defaulters. Farmers had strangled all attempts to get things going. Mr Boyce: “Why have co-operative bacon factories all gone to the wall?” It was simply because the farmers would not support their own concerns. Mr Small then moved: “That tho executive is astounded at the action of the Meat Control Board in not doing something to assist and foster the bacon and pork industry, and is also dissatisfied with tho inactivity of tho Government in not passing legislation which will enable producers to handle their own produce and bring every producer into line.” Mr Richardson seconded tho motion, which was carried.