PORK FOR BACON-CURING.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1922, Page 12

PORK FOR BACON-CURING.

AN. OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW ZEALAND. London, October 19. For a. considerable time past some people here, with the interest ot New Zealand developments very much at heart, have been wondering why the country does not raise more pigs, and so increase the export of pork. Such inquirers will be interested to know that Mr. J. S’. Jessep has been going into the matter, for he has seen how enormous is the demand throughout the United Kingdom for pork and bacon, as well as for pigs for bacon-curing. He considers it quite natural that dairy farmers in the Dominion should turn their attention to the very profitable business of pig-raising. He keenly for sees the opportunity for an enormous development in the export of frozen pork. Talking to roe to-day, Mr. Jessep pointed to the vastly-increasing supplies of beef received in England from South America and Australia, with the result that beef from New Zealand (except of the very best quality) is an unprofitable proposition for the breeder there. As the natural outcome there will be little or no demand for the type of beef largely produced from dual-purpose herds m great dairying districts of the Dominion. Naturally, in the circumstances, too, many thousands of calves fl'om dairying herds will not be raised, so that the problem which must necessarily arise for solution is to find a profitable use for the skim from the innumerable butter factories. “The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board in conjunction with the National Dairy Association of New' Zealand,” said Nir. Jessep, “have been concentrating on this question for some time, and it is pleasing to be able to report that the shipping companies trading with the Dominion have recognised the necessity of assisting the farmers to (levelop the export of frozen pork. This will make up to the shipping companies for the loss of frozen beef, whilst the dairy farmers of the Dominion should derive a very considerable additional source of revenue. Arrangements had been made by. the shipping companies , for a reduction in freight on frozen pork to Id per lb. There is an unlimited market in Great Britain for pigs and bacon-curing of a. weight from 60 to 801bs, which also find a ready market. The United States of America and the Argentine now ship very large supplies, and there is, in my opinion, no reason why the Dominion of New Zealand, side 'by side with the great dairying industry, should not develop an export business in pork,”