MORE PIGS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3297, 6 August 1943, Page 5

MORE PIGS

MR SUTHERLAND’S REQUEST PRICE NOT REMUNERATION ■Suggestions for improving the pig industry were made by Mr A. S. Sutherland, M.P. for Hauraki, when speaking in the House of Representatives recently. Mr Sutherland, said he had already indicated two ways in which the industry could be improved, namely, by ; increasing the price of pig meat, and decreasing* the price of pig meal. The Minister had been able to get limited quantified of the latter, but they were not sufficient to meet the position. . Should Seek Advice He thought the Minister should seek the advice of people who knew something about the industry because it was evident that his interference with - the industry had resulted in the pres.- . ent unsatisfactory state of affairs. About a year ago, bacon pigs were selling at from 8F d to 9d a lb., on the open market, but the Minister had now tied the price at 7d, with a toler- , ance of id. That price was quite unremunerative. Many of the breeding sows- had been slaughtered and choppers normally worth up to £2' 10s . were to-day bringing as high as £9 17s 6d. That was a good illustration ■of the result of the Minister’s interference. Oats From South Island Mr Sutherland said he would like to ask the Minister to go into the. question of obtaining supplies of oats from the South Island. It was obvious that - oats were available. If they could be brought to the North Island at a reasinable price, they would assist very materially in fattening bacon pigs. .