Meat Supplies For Great Britain

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 37, 13 February 1937, Page 7

Meat Supplies For Great Britain

Meat Board Chairman Returns to Dominion THAT EMBARGO MUST BE LIFTED Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. The improved outlook for the New Zealand meat export trade was commented on by Mr. T. A. Duncan, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers* Board, who returned to Auckland by the Rangitiki. Mr. Duncan and Mr. J. Fraser, general manager of the board, who accompanied him, acted in an advisory capacity with the Minister of Marketing, Hon. W. Nash, during his recent discussions with the British Government regarding supplies of meat for the United Kingdom market. “Negotiations between the two Governments were practically completed as far as New Zealand was concerned, before we left London,” Mr. Duncan said, “but as it is an official matter 1 am unable to give any indication of the lesult or to suggest future trends in the meat export policy. An announcement will doubtless be made by the Government as soon as the position is settled* However, I can say that Mr. Nash handled the negotiations with the British Government in an efficient man'

Commenting on various aspects of tho meat export trade, Mr. Duncan said there was still marked improvement in trade conditions in Great Britaiu and prospects for at least the maintenance of existing price levels for meat were particularly bright. “The Dominion's mutton and lamb trade is in a very; healthy state,” Mr. Duncan continued.

“Our lamb continues to receive a sub* stantial premium over that of our com" petitors but if we are to maintain this position, we must continue to breed and fatten for export only the very best quality and where Southdown rams are used for crossing to breed fat lambs, none but the best should be employed. Combined with good crossbred ewes, they give an ideal carcase for the English trade.

“Chilled beef from the Dominion continues to be well received in England and is gaining wider popularity on account of its eating qualities. However, I saw some quarters which did not arrive in a satisfactory .condition

on account of the long voyage and lack of finish before slaughter. These defects can be largely remedied. My opinion is that chilled beef from unfinished flabby cattle does not stand up to the long transit nearly as succes*fully as that from well finished cattle.”

Mr. Duncan said he had seen at Smithfield market chilled beef from the Waikato show. It arrived in excellent order aud met with a good sale but it could not compare with the special Christmas display shipped from the Argentine. The conformation of New Zealand cattle appeared to be much, more irregular. “I had the opportunity to taste this Mr, Duncan added, “and it ate excellently. 1 urn sure that if we breed good shortlegged, thick-fleshed type of cattle of good quality and finish them well, we should be more able to hold our own with our competitors. Must Do Something About Embargo. “The percentage of cattle in the Dominion which can be used for breeding high quality chillers is not large enough aud in my opinion this is ono reason why wo should consider lifting the embargo on tho importation of stud stock from Great Britain. We must

recognise that r our competitors are continually striving for improved quality in their herds.”

The system of quarantine for stud stock was discussed by Mr. Duncan, lie suggested it would be possible to overcome objections in New Zealand against the lilting of the existing embargo on imported stock by extending the quarantine period iu the Dominion. At present stock could come through Australia but the extra cost was so heavy that it almost prohibited importations from Great Britain. The British quarantine regulations prior to export were most thorough and there was no chance whatever of diseased beasts being permitted to leave England. ‘ * There is a good deal of dissatisfaction among English stud stock breeders over this matter,” Mr. Duncan said, * * and the position should not be allowed to continue. Ultimately it may prejudice us iu our meat trade with Great Britain. I personally have no axe to grind in the matter and am putting forward iny views purely iu the interests of New Zealand aud the future of our meat trade.” Mr. Duncan mentioned that Dr. A. J. M. Smith, scientist at the Cambridge Low Temperature Station, had accompanied Mr. Fraser and himself to New Zealand w’ith the object of carrying out further investigations into the carriage of chilled beef and other matters. Pigs Well Thought of. Discussing the market prospects for pigs, Mr. Duncan said New Zealand porkers w'ere well thought of by the trade in Great Britain and the grading was satisfactory. The sale of porkers was expanding well and present free competition together with the Meat Board’s advertising, was having the effect of increasing consumption. However, baconers could be improved particularly with regard to breeding and selection. He had heard complaints iu London regarding the presence of too many overfat short pigs.