WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1928, Page 1

WELLINGTON NEWS

10 PORK EXPORT AND THE SUBSIDY ».s (Special to “ Guardian cl U AYELLIXGTOX, Fob. 17. •Sinco the establishment of the Dairy * Fanners’ Union that body lias taken a ® leading; part in an endeavour to improve the conditions of Xew Zealand ■j pig breeders. One of the great ilrawbacks, however, has been the lack til co-operation amongst the breeders and there is a want of cohesion between those who produce porkers and the ' breeders of baconers. The matter was referred to at the last meeting of the a Wellington Executive of the Union held at Palmerston Xorth this week, when a letter was read from Mr X. Campbell, the President, who was unable to be present on account of ill health. He j. pointed out that if they ever expected to get the pork industry on co-opera-hve lines producers must join together j, ai 'd see that the subsidy granted by the Government was for the pork industry’s future, as well as for the present- need. He pointed out that.the ’ position had now been reached when I P'S raisers were receiving greater attention than ever before, and during the past year the possibilities of export had been •brought well to the fore. Breeding for market requirements was wisely being advocated and proprietary concerns were now buying for export, and co-operative associations had come into being, and were becoming more firmly established. The Government appeared now to be aware of the value of the trade, and were prepared to give practical assistance for the next three seasons. Although the present subsidy of Id per lb applied to both porkers and baconers. it was probable that after the present term the bounty would be confined to porkers which lie thought was only right. He pointed out that Continental suppliers of pork were shut out of the London market, and after the homegrown the Xew Zealand porkers were the next highest grade on the market, and our object .should be to firmly establish that position. Baconers. oe. the other hand, had to meet strong opposition from Continental cured bacon which dominated the British market to-day. Pig breeders now were in a similai position to the dairy farmers at the time of co-operative dairy company movements, with the dilference that they had the lessons of the dairying and frozen meat industries to learn from. ft was his opinion that the Government should immediately declare whether after the present term the bounty was to apply to porkers only, so that farmers could make what ever changes in their production thought advisable. If matters were allowed to drift the trade would lie quickly dominated by proprietary interests. The majority of pig raisers only put off small numbers and consequently were loth to face the delays involved in an export trade, and this more particularly applied to porkers. As the London demand was seasonable in the early part of the year it was good policy to store porkers in Xew Zealand so as to catch the opening of the London season about September. Un- ' doubtedly the best and most economical ' method was for flic dairy companies to ' handle their suppliers pigs mi the same lines as the dairy supply. However, the attitude of the major- 1 ity o! the dairy company directors was 1 the principal liar to a progressive policy. An alteration in the articles 0! association might he necessary hut this 1 difficulty could he surmounted. The ' Executive decided to make a strong 1 stand in regard to this matter, and the P urgency of the matter was stressed as 1 well as the importance of united action, *•