FARMERS MEET

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1933, Page 4

FARMERS MEET

PIG RAISING INDUSTRY. MEETING AT ARAHURA. Last evening in the Valley Hall at Arahura some sixty settlers assembled to hear Mr N. W. Hastings, the.A.Z. organiser ,of the Co-operative Pig Marketing Association, deliver an address on the aims and advantages ol the organisation he represents. Mr D. B. Jel lie was voted to the chair and introduced the speaker n> suitable words. Mr Hastings who is a dairy fanner on a large scale in the Morrinsville district, Auckland, milking over 200 cows and raising some 000 pigs last year in addition, i s a iluent and forceful speaker. He lias a thorough knowledge of all the branches of butter, pork and bacon production and handled his subjects with convincing clearness. He outlined the history of the movement dating back to 1927 when it was first originated in the Auckland province and quoted yearly figures in support of its inreasieng popularity and usefulness. So, much so, that now representations were being made -to the Association to extend its to the South Island and that was the reason of liis visit to the Canterbury and West Coast districts. Already his presence in the former province had been the means of a firm rise in prices at the Addington market. He wished it clearly understood that his mission was not to force them to join up with the association. He placed the virtue® of the organisation before them and it was for them to determine on their line of action,

Considerable hostility was being shown to ,the organisation by .the largest freezing company jn New Zealand - and also certain auctioneering firms operating in the South Island, which was a splendid answer to the fact that they were being hard driven to justify their past treatment of the pig raising farmers of tile Dominion. While last year there was an over supply of 3800 pigs, the association hoped to relieve tliiy position. In any case there should be no need for a local market in the South Island if the output wa® governed and controlled on right lines under association direction. The farmers could look forward to one of tile best price returns in the world, instead of as to-day the buying of the pigs was evidently in the hands of one mass. For this farmers were to. blame, they lacked co-operation and knew that while prices were low the trust operating against them were forcing prices still lower. Had the combination of profiteers govern the pig producer a reasonable price (in the past there would have been no need for the present association’s activities, and it would not have been in existence to-day. He then exposed the fallacies and inconsistencies contained in a circular issued recently by certain firms warning the farmer of a probable rot clamation. You must understand that we can only give market prices for pigs and while lie could not giv e a guarantee any more than any other firm, he v would give them liis assurance that a reclamation in their business would now lie made. You can go on producing pigs in excess of to-day’s numbers and «’e will regulate the supply on to the world market. Last year the North Island increased its output by 110 per cent to an assured market. Farmers were ignorant of these facts hut then control was so perfect and efficient that it contributed to these successful results.

This district could double its output of pigs, and on the prices of last year this would mean double the return to the farmer or producer. In seven years only on one occasion did tjie association fail to pay a bonus and dividend and in spite of the talk of quotas he could say definitely that for five years the Association had staved off such a proposal. It will thus be seen that the pig farmers were never on a better wicket than to-day to take advantage of the Assocation. Mr Hastings covered considerable ground in dealing with the raising of pork and bacon in Denmark and its marketing in England touching on the relative merits of the tariffs operating between each country and there was no reason why this Dominion should not participate in the advantage of a maximum share of the English market. He was quite convinced in his own mind that Mr Baxter’s visit was in the nature of a . feeler to put these phases of trade relations before the people of the Dominion.

In concluding his address, Mr Hasting dealt exhaustively with the butter industry and its operation under control, pointing out how inimical this had been to dairy farmers. He dealt exhaustively with the exploiting now taking place under the present system of marketing and exposed the huge profits made by the middlemen, who never see the article they deal in.

He then enumerated the cost in connection with the Association’s operations and its relative advances. Charges were as follows: Commission 9d. a pig paid by the Association, allowance for railage Is per pig paid by the Association.

Pigs were graded as follows: 401bs. t 0 SOlbs, 811bs. to 1201b5., 1211bs. to 1601b5., any weight in excess not paid foi'. The weight on hook 6 with head and trotters on.

■Choppers would be paid for a t all weights at Id per lb. advance. On all prime ' pork up to 831bs. farmers would be made an advance payment within 14 days of slaughtering of not less than 3fd lb. Pork t° I2olbs. The advance would be not less than 3Jd lb. 'Second quality po r k -id lb. less.

Bacon pigs 1211hs to 1601bs or prime selected, advance lb., prime 3£d lbSecond quality 3&d.

Laet year the Association made a final bonus of 1 l-16d lb. on seven million pounds weight of pork meat. Afr the conclusion of his address questions were answered by the (speaker* and Mr Bernard Ward moved ‘'That this meeting of settlers approves of the principles of marketing a s enumerated by the Asocciation’s organiser, Mr. Hastings and proceed to elect a local committee to deal with the question of: joining up under the conditions outlined.

The motion .was second by. Mr M c - Guigan and ’carried.

The following eommitte was elected : Messrs D. B. Jellie {to be chairman). W. N. Bond, J. McGuigan, J. Ward* and R. jWßeon. In view of the fact that if is desryed to get a truck away as soon a s possible, fanners are requested to p,et in touch with the committee as e,oon as possible.

Mr Hastings will speak air. Kokat a hi . to-night at 8 p.m., Koiiteratigi on ThurS- ■■ day, Wait aha on Friday "t 1 p.m.,. tVatc.ro a the same night at 8 p.m., and! (Harihari on Saturday at 8 p.m.