TOO HIGH

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 321, 7 September 1932, Page 7

TOO HIGH

FARMERS CONCERNED AT COST OF EXPORTING ' MEAT. CRITICISM OF MEAT BOARD. The high charges involved in the export of New Zealand meat to the London market were deplored in the course of a discussion at the monthly meeting of the Southland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union recently, says th'e Southland Times. Several members quoted examples of the charges on consignments shipped Home and declared that the industry was facing bankruptcy. Mr. E. K. Sim said he had received figures of account saies of a consignment of sixty-three sheep, including thirty-six ewes shipped to London by a Southland farmer. Th'e net return to the eonsignor was 2s 5d per head, equal to .54d per 1b. The total charges amounted to 10s 9d per head, including 4s freight and 3s 6d freezing charges. The firm which handled the business received 4s ld commission and threepence p^r head for drafting. The return from the skins was not included in this. This position spelt bankruptcy for the farmers if it was allowed to continue. At last meeting, a remit had been brought forward asking for the abolition of the Meat Board, but the speaker averred that there would be no justificatiori for passing such a remit. Charges should be reduced, hut credit should be given to the board for the reductions effected. The board had succeeded in reducing annual freights to the extent of £1,059,000, which' was approximately three times the amount of the levy. Since 1922 a reduction of 26 per cent. had heen effected in ^insurance charges. Since 1925 cold storage charges had been reduced by 10 per cent for the first month and 10 per cent. for subsequent months. Mr. Walter Clark said that returns which he had received for his own shipments revealed a shocking position. He considered that it was scandalous that the board was not looking after the business of the producers better. He said that the levy of from £40,000 to £50,000 to maintain the board was merely throwing good money after had. He had shipped 761 wethers to the London market and the charges had totalled 13s 6d per head, which was a figure that could not be paid at present-day prices. Mr. Duncan McDonald agreed th'at such high charges could not continue, but he urged that the board had saved the producers large amounts and should not be abolished. Mr. J. Johnston moved that the union urge the Government to increase the power of the Meat Board so that if could attempt to effect reductions in freezing charges in New Zealand. It was decided to defer further action until after a conference had been held with the Otago executive.