PIG COUNCIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 125, 26 April 1940, Page 4

PIG COUNCIL.

WELLINGTON DISTRICT. The annual meeting of the "Wellington District Pig Council was held on Wednesday, Sir B. E. Keiller presiding. The annual report was adopted on the motion of the chairman, who paid a tribute to the work of the retiring supervisor (Mr E. P. Neilsen) and to the efforts of the new supervisor (Mr A. A. Johnson). In the report of the supervisor tins position of stock performances was summarised as follow:—Clubs formed, 25; clubs ceased to function, 2; clubs now functioning, . 23; total membership, 307; number and breed of sows held by them. Tamworths 14, Berkshires 8, Large White 2; number of breeding pigs distributed, boars 88, sows 91, culled G 9. The position as regards pig housing was very forward as no less than £4817 value of new housing had been Greeted by club members. The value of this constructional effort and the fact that it was exemplified all over the district would pave the way for even greater expansion of the housing project. Messrs ('. J. Eglinton and H. E. Thurston (retiring members) and D. T. Johnston were elected members of the council. Mr J. E. Hodden was reelected auditor.

A recommendation was passed that the protein content of meat meal and its freedom from impurities be branded on each bag offered for sale, and that the executive be urged to press for this recommendation being carried out. A motion that the council investigate the reason why there was no differential rate in freight charges for pork and bacon was lost. A letter signed by seven members of tile Linton Pig Club was received. It stated that they could increase production by at least 25 per cent, if they could get financial assistance to construct better accommodation. The chairman said that if sufficient numbers appealed for help they might make some progress, and it was de-| cided to try to get signatures from all the pig clubs in the district before putting it as a reejuest to the National Council. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman, tributes being paid to his efforts in behalf of the pig industry. Mr Keiller, at a subsequent meeting of the council, was re-clected chairman. hi the course of his annual report Mr Keiller recalled that it was two and a half years since the council had been formed and lie felt the industry had been more than repaid for the comparatively small financial sacrifice it had been called upon to make. “During the year the national council and district councils have been called upon to advise on some very serious problems facing the industry due to the outbreak of the war. Shortly alter hostilities commenced the United Kingdom asked that only baconcr pigs be shipped, and it needs no little imagination to see how big an adjustment would have to he made to meet this request. Every effort lias been made to solve these problems and assist to carry out the Home Government’s wishes. . This council was ably represented by Mr W. J. Croucher on the advisory committee set up hv the Government and suggestions were made to implement the proposals,” proceeded Mr Keiller. The producers’ delegates went into the emergency arising out of the wish of the ( Home Government restricting porker export. Constructive proposals Mere advanced indicating the best methods by which all porkers could he carried on to approved baconcr weights or carried profitably through the winter. “During the year u-e lost tiie services of our supervisor, (Ur E. I’. Nielsen, who has accepted work in another sphere. Our loss was a serious one and lias only been compensated for by the good work our new supervisor (Mr A. .Johnson) is doing. Mr W. P. Bickers tendered his resignation from the council and his place was taken by Mr C. J. Eglinton. The council received £85(1 from the national fund and £33 from the Meat Board, a total of £BB3. Of this £B3O Mas expended in management expenses, leaving a surplus of £53. The surplus assets now amount to £330and the whole of this is casli in the hank. The question of income io the council is aggravated by the large drop in the number of pigs slaughtered. It is estimated that for this year the total amount received from levies will he .about £6OOO against £BOOO last year. As it requires a, minimum of £BOO or £9OO to run each council in one year the position may become really acute.” Mr Keiller referred to the baeoner competition, and expressed his thanks to all who/had assisted during tlio year.