“GO IN FOR BACON.”

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1927, Page 1

“GO IN FOR BACON.”

AND LEAVE PORK ALONI

“New Zealand pig breeders should coniine their attention to raising pigs up to 801 b. for bacon for the London market. The Dominion should establish its own' curing works in England, and employ a first-class Lnglish expert to do the curing there. ' It this were done, New Zealand farmers would get

a good deal more than the 5d per pound, which they are at present asking the Government to guarantee.” 'The above views were expressed to a “Dominion'’ reporter recently, hv one who has had a life-long experience of the pork industry. “Now Zealand breeders,” he said, “should leave pork alone, and sTieuld concentrate upon breeding for bacon. Tho “Dominion” breeders were misled by London brokers last season, who advised them to rush their pigs to the London market. The result was that all the pork arrived together, and there was a drop in price.”

Another factor which militated against the success of tho pork exported from New Zealand last year, he declared. was that carcases of unsuitable size were shipped Home.

“What do you consider suitable weights for the London market ?” the pressman asked. “I would not grow a pig heyoml 801 Its for bacon, or ho.vond 1501 b. for pork.” he replied. “Pigs lip to 18011>. were shipped Homo last year, and these are far too .heavy for the English market A farmer is losing money when he continues to feed a pig after it has readied 15011). 'The feed would he more profitable going into young stock.’’ “X. Z. p'ig-raisers,” he continued. “should at once set about establishing their own curing works in England. These would not’ cost any more than the pig-l>reeilors are now asking the Government, for by way. ut.-subsidy. The works in England; could be all on one floor, and the carcases could he shipped from New Zealand direct to the works in England, where they Could he: cured by an English export curcr. If this were done, the bacon would he released as required.and this would prevent such a glut as occurred last year.” ‘lt may not he generally known,” he proceeded, “that English pig-breed-ers have recently established baconcuring works in Holland. An embargo ■was placed upon the entry of Dutch pork into England on acotint of ; me -presence of foot-and-mouth disease on .the -001111110111. hut this difficulty * "'as •speedily got over. Not a word was said about .barring Dutch bacon, and tin' English' people quickly saw their They established curing works in Holland and turned the Dutch pork into bacon. Dutch pork was barred. hut bacon wa.s not. This was another reason why prices slumped in London last year.

“If New Zealand breeders were to act on this suggestion and establish their o"'ii bacon-curing works in England their is no reason why they should not get 7d a pound and more for their bacon. This would he liettor than tho od per lb they are now asking the Government to guarantee.”