THE MEAT INDUSTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10616, 15 June 1920, Page 6

THE MEAT INDUSTRY

DIFFICULTIES OF PRODUCERS. * FOREIGN MARKETS SOUGHT. A very strong vein of dissatisfaction ran through the report on. the recent Dominion. Meat Conference -which the delegates from the Canterbury A. and P. Association presented to a special generaL meeting of the association. The meeting decided to investigate the possibilities of foreign markets for New Zealand productThe delegates' report reviewed the whole, business of the conference. It was seated that the shipping representatives had absolutely refused to give any indication of what freights were likely to l-o until the Imperial Govrnment abandoned shipping control. Pre-war freight rates compared with those at present in force are as follows : « Pre-war. 1920. Per lb. Per lb. Beef 9-ICd 1 11-16 d Mutton ..' 11-lGd 1 13-16 d Lamb 12-16 d 1 15-lGd

These figures represented approximately, per lb, the amount for which ihe Government engaged the whole of Iho insulated space, viz., .£6 12s 6d per cubio ton. in addition to which there had lately been substantial charges_for demurrage while ships were waiting in London to unload. If producers did nothing more about shipping, they would be fortunate if they got 'their lamb Carried for 3d per lb. NOTHING DEIFINITE DONE. The report concluded : "No one who thought seriously about the matter expected that much good would result from such a large meetiug, called -without much knowledge of the facts which constitute the present position. They were right. The Board of Agriculture either had not got the facts or it omitted to bring them forward, and it was quite impossible to do justice to the vitally important matters which were brought before us, and dispose of them in a. day. The result is that nothing definite has been done with regard to expediting the clearance of New Zealand meat stores before November next or, failing ' that, as to the term* upon which our meat can be shipped, in view of i l he Imperial Government's control of shipping. No step of any kind has been taken or even suggested for the purpose of enabling farmers to o-wn or charter their ships. No information is availaolo ns to the requirements of America, France, Italy. Germany, Atisrna, <-r Poland in tho -way of wool and meat, i*nd their ability to receive, distribute and nav for tho same. If we had only parsed a resolution renin's-! in* the Government to ascertain whon the Imperial authorities were TOing to eiear the store? •»nrt release shipning. and. falling satisfactory replies on these to make ■irrangements for shipping our meat and i-nol the-Continent, and ettpnrl credit tor that pumo«e, it is probnnle that we -hnuld have Hone far more than by leaving our interests to b° d»»H with h" » -ombined committee of bankers, freezine company representatives and producers."