THE MEAT MARKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1921, Page 6

THE MEAT MARKET.

•AIM AT IMPROVEMENT QUALITY OF EXPORTED MEAT. ! In his annual report the Director of the Live Stock Division of the Department of Agriculture states that all concerned should do their utmost to put this country’s products on the market in as sound and good condition as possible.* “In the case of meat,” he says, “much can be done in this direction by producers, by the employees who kill and dress the carcases, and by the men who do the subsequent handling until the meat is on board ship. Unfortunately we do not always find the necessary pride and pleasure in work well done which should permeate all concerned, and general co-operation to bring about and carry into effect all proper requirements is a step eminently to be desired. “As stated, much can be djjne here. The starting-off point must, of course, be with the breeder, and whatever’ the breed he should always aim at the best, and, having started right in this direction, see that his stock are well done throughout. Adequate winter feeding, and, in districts where drought conditions are liable to occur, the provision of a reserve of food material, together with good shelter, are necessary adjuncts to successful production which are too apt to be neglected—in the North Island at least. It is surely infinitely better to end the winter with the stock in a good and healthy condition, and a haystack to spare, than to just manage to bring the stock through in a weak, low condition, and with no feed in hand for the next emergency. Yet this is how many farmers in New Zealand carry on their farming operations from year to year, and wonder how it is that they remain sri while neighbors are prosperous. The climate of New Zealand so admirably lends itself to the raising of stock with the minimum amount of trouble that we inclined to trust to Providence overmuch, forgetting that while taking every advantage of what Nature has provided for us we should duly assist her provision. By increasing our opportunities in t£iis way we not only help ourselves, but the country receives the maximum benefit from our presence and activities.”