MEAT BOARD ACTIVITIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 106, 26 July 1927, Page 13

MEAT BOARD ACTIVITIES

THE YEAR REVIEWED RECORD lamb killings Possibilities for the further expansion of the Dominion’s frozen meat industry are put forward in the fifth annual report of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board. The decline of the beef industry is commented upon. Against this, however, is shown a considerable increase in the pork export trade, and the firm maintenance of the Dominion’s sheep flocks. Last season's record kill of lambs was exceeded by 50me.300,000 carcases, while a comparison of returns for the last four seasons shows the season just ended well in the lead in regard to carcases shipped overseas. Shipments to London and the West Coast of the United Kingdom show an increase, while decreasing trade with Antwerp, Havre and Genoa is to some extent balanced by new outlets in Port Said, Marseilles, United States and Canadian ports. The board has given close attention to the prospects of developing a regular trade with both North American coasts and, besides trial shipments to those parts, has made arrangements for its London manager to visit these in September. EFFECT OF COMPETITION A comparison of Smithfield values with the figures of the pevious year shows the season just ended to have been less favourable, and there is no doubt, states the report, that the enormous quantities of chilled South American beef going on to the British market is having a very marked effect on all classes of meat. shipped from the Dominion. In addition to this, the English markets have not yet recovered from the effects of the recent coal strike. During the year the board entered into a further shipping-freight contract for a period of three years, from September 30, 1927, at a considerable reduction on present rates.