THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. MONDAY, MAY 3, 1943 PRICES FOR PIGS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3258, 3 May 1943, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. MONDAY, MAY 3, 1943 PRICES FOR PIGS

Two aspects of the livestock industry which are seriously exercising the minds of farmers and business firms are the condition of the pig raising industry and the suggestion that the Government intends to eliminate stock sales by auction in favour of State purchasing and marketing. The impression is widespread that the Government intends to take further control. At a Canterbury meeting the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, was questioned oh the subject. “We do not want to cut out competiton,” he said in reply. “We want to interfere with the saleyards' as little as possible.” In England, the Minister added, meat was bought “on the hoof,” but it, was not the New Zealand Government’s intention -to interfere with auction sales “if they could help it.” Apparently Mr Barclay visualises the possibility of circumstances arising in which he will not be able tp “help” some form of interference.

Experience of State control of fruit, eggs and other products has caused the producers genuinely to fear the results of State handling of all phases of the meat industry. Cattle, sheep and pigs have to be bought from the farmers, and prices have been governed by a system of keen competiton which operates on both sides of the bargain. If the State were to step in and eliminate, competition at auction sales very serious results might be expected. State buyers would name their own prices and farmers would have to accept what was offered. The industry is operated by men of life-long experience in an exceedingly complex trade which few would be prepared to place in the hands of Government servants. Efficiency in the livestock industry is achieved only by. long experience and the trade is full of pitfalls for the inexpert. State control here would be more dangerous than in almost any other industry. Mr Barclay explained some of the reasons why the impression was abroad that State buying was contemplated. He said that the demand by the Army for pig meat and beef had created a shortage in the South Island. Formerly beef had been shipped to the South Island “on the hoof,” but now that shipping for livestock was not available, that stock was forwarded as frozen carcases. Butchers did not like frozen meat. They were purchasing from the freezing buyers in the North Island for the Army, “and the scheme had worked admirably.” It also eliminated profit by the intermediary between the freezing works and the Army. Many farmers and business men believe that an attempt will be made to extend State buying and marketing, and a clear statement by the Government on the subject would be welcomed. There is a point beyond which wartime necessity cannot be pleaded. All Thames Valley farmers who can should therefore attend the meeting called in the Netherton Hall next Wednesday to discuss this question.