PIG EXPORTATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5205, 18 November 1927, Page 3

PIG EXPORTATION.

THE CO-OPERATIVE SCHEME.

SUPPORT OF NGATEA FARMERS.

Thei scheme of co-operative exporting of pigs, which has been under discussion in the Waikato for some considerable time and >vhich has now taken shape in the formation of the N.Z. Co-operative Pig Marketing Association, was explained to a small meeting of Ngatea farmers on Tuesday afternoon by Mr S. H. Judd, farmer, Cambridge, and chairman of the executive of the company. The proposal was thought to be sound and desirable in view of the present, price now being received by farmers for their pigs, and as no share capital was required the meeting decided to adopt the scheme and to appoint a local committee to further the movement.

The smallness of the attendance at the meeting was explained by the shortness of notice, and to some extent by a confusion in dates.

Outlining the scheme, Mr Judd said that the association was endeavouring to follow the and methods bf co-operative dairy companies; Thirteen ico-operative; dairy companies had associated to handle the pigs fattened by suppliers. The control was by an executive elected by these; constituting dairy companies assisted to a very great t extent by local committees, • wiho would organise in their sevejral districts. The only overhead charges were £5 a week, for a secretary, the out-of-pocket expenses of the executive, and a small amount for stationery, etc. Provision had been made to reduce this expenditure in the event of the number of pigs falling below expectations. The basis of supply by farmers was quite voluntary, and as no capital was required by the association there was no need to issue shares; Farmers could give the association all their pigs or, if their financial position was such that they could not afford to wait for the final payment, they could give the association a portion only. However, so far the association had received numerous promises to supply all the pigs fattened irrespective of the price; paid by the present buyers at their scales. Continuing, 'Mr Judd said that naturally the scales prices would be advanced on the Plains, as in other places, to meet this competition, and this would result in the association getting fewer pigs, because there were always some farmers who would sacrifice ,What was- to their ultimate benefit for the ready cash. It was thought that a cast-iron scheme had been evolved which could not be smashed by competitors. If no pigs were forthcoming the association could reduce its overhead expenses until the scales price, came down and pigs were again offered to the cooperative association. Explaining the system of working, Mr Judd said that when a local committee knew of sufficient pigs available in its district it should notify the, .Hamilton office of the company, which, would arrange for trucks to be at the nearest railway station on a certain day. The local committee would employ a carrier on contract to collect and deliver the pigs, marking each animal with a ring in the ejar, and to issue a receipt on behalf of the association. The rings would remain on the carcases so that the pig could be traced. The pigs would be trucked to Horot.iu or Southdown and the farmer would be paid according to the full dressed weight oft he carcase, subject of course, to grading, etc. These weights could be depended upon, as the, freezing companies were paid according to the weight of meat handled. All pigs would be pooled just as butter is now pooled, and the .return would be the average price received for all classs in a pool. The present pool would last until the freezing works closed down at Christmas, and the second pool would probably be for the month of January. Pigs would be divided into classes. Porkers would be from 601 b to 1201 b, baconers from 1201 b to 2001 b, and choppers all those over-weight, all breeding sows which had been fattened, and all improperly finished pigs. Baconers would be graded, and %d a pound extra at least would be paid for prime grade. There would be no deductions for the insurance of pigs, except that when it was found that a farmer was supplying an excessive proportion of diseased animals he would be required to bear his own risk.

Payment would be made in three stages. The advance payment would be made within 14 days of the delivery of the pig, when the farmer would also receive a statement showing the weights, classifications, and grades. The advance payments would be kept low to dbviafe any chance of having to make a reclamation. At present it was 3d on porkers and 2d on baconers. A progress payment would be made at the close of each pool, and the final payment would be made about three months later, when; all the meat had been sold.

Arrangements had been made for curing carcases for farmers at l%d a. pound plus rqturn freight from Frankton Junction, and the arrangements for disposing of those; carcases which by reason of bruises or diseiase were unexportable. In reply to questions Mr Judd said that grading would be according to the type of carcase and the; quality of the meat preferred by the English importers. Depots would not be established throughout the country, but the local committee could make arrangeiments for assembling pigs if it thought it was desirable.

The local committee should arrange a cartage contract, preferably tat a flat rate, and the association wiould subsidise the contractor at 6d per pig for marking, etc., and to encourage him to organise. The contract oi would collect his charges from tbe farmers. The association, would accept full responsibility from the time the pigs were trucked at the railway station.

Th« cost of marketing from the time the pigs were l trucked at the railway station until the meat was

disposed of in London had been found to be 2%d per lb for porkers and 2%d for baconers.

After a full discussion, in which many speakers commended the scheme, it was decided on the motion of Mr H. F. Lcuch, seconded by Mr T. A. McClean, that a branch ‘of the association be formed in Ngatea, and that a local committee be appointed. Thq committee appointed was Messrs C. W- Schultz (convener), W. Lawrence, H. F. Louch,* T. A. McClean, J. Darlington, and E. W. Martin (hon secretary), with power to add.

The meeting closed with votes of thanks to Mr Judd and the; chairman. Kaihere farmers w.ho were present stated that a committee would be formed in their district.

Meetings will shortly be| held in Turua and Waitakaruru.

At a. subsequent meeting of the committee it was decided that carriers be approached f°r prices for delivering pigs to the Paeroa railway station, and that a further committee meeting be held to report.