THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1943 CONTROL OF PIG MEATS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3265, 19 May 1943, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1943 CONTROL OF PIG MEATS

Decreased production and increased demand have resulted in the Government taking drastic steps to control the consumption of pig meats in New Zealand. The sale of fresh, pickled or cooked pork has been prohibited, except in special cases, for at least two months, and the sale of bacon and ham has been restricted. The effect of the prohibition on the sale of pork will be that growers will be compelled to keep pigs until they become baconers. The Government announces that the objective of the control is to enable an equitable distribution of pig meats to be made between the civilian population and the armed forces. Increased supplies of pig foods are being made available at reduced prices to encourage an increase in production. It is unfortunate that in recent times war conditions have resulted in many changes in the requirements of the pig industry so that when the demand has reached its peak the supply is inadequate. Prices, assessment of requirements and weights of pigs that would be acceptable have been altered in a very confusing manner at a time when labour has been short and supplementary foodstuffs have been either in short supply or uneconomically priced. Farmers became disheartened and production has declined seriously. Now bacon is wanted urgently. It is hoped that the Government will give such assurance as is possible in war conditions that stability will be introduced into the industry. Bacon is urgently wanted by the Allied forces in the Pacixfic area and it is New Zealand’s duty to do its utmost to ensure that the supply is maintained. The latest plan to distribute equitably the supply of a commodity which is inadequate for all purposes may be. followed later by x further rationing of primary products. The rationing of butter and cheese, for instance, has been mentioned by the Prime Minister as a possibility. In a country where the people have always been used to plenty of such produce the imposition of rationing brings home the all-embracing effects of the war. The demand also emphasises the necessity of exercising the utmost care in the employment of the country’s man power. With its small population New Zealand can save only a comparatively small quantity of goods by rationing, and after all the most important aspect of the whole matter is that the Allied forces in the Pacific should be supplied. It is a part of Allied strategy to decide how much manpower the Dominion should place in the armed forces and hov/ much should be eihployed in the production of vital supplies. Because of its productivity New Zealand can produce a quantity of foodstuffs out of all proportion to its population.