FARMING PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 February 1940, Page 6

FARMING PROBLEMS

MATTERS AFFECTING SHEEP INDUSTRY MEAT BOARD CHAIRMAN VISITS MASTERTON. MANY POINTS DISCUSSED. Mattel's affecting the sheep farming industry were discussed yesterday al a meeting held in the Social Hall. Municipal buildings, when Mr T. A. Duncan, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board addressed the gathering. Mr L. Maclean, a newly appointed member to the board, was also present. Mr A. McDonald, president of the Wairarapa Sheepowners' Federation presided. There was an attendance of about 60. In extending a welcome to Messrs Duncan and Maclean, Mr McDonald said many people seemed to think when the sheepfarmer sought information about charges, that they wanted extra for their meat. They wore not out for profits, said Mr McDonald. The last war showed what sheepfarmers in the Wairarapa. and the whole of New Zealand had done to assist the war effort. It was a step in the right direction, he held, to keep in close touch with the Meat Board, but unfortunately the Wairarapa had no representative on the board at the present time. Stating that the Meat Board was practically an export board. Mr Duncan said it had nothing to do with internal costs of any companies in New Zealand. The board, which made representations to the Government, had always endeavoured to play the game, no matter what Government was in power. As a member of the board he represented Ne.w Zealand, the same as every other member of the board. Mr Duncan proceeded to refer to certain activities of the board, stating that the board had found the co-op-eration of the meat controller, Mr Cockayne, most helpful. The Minister, Mr Nash, had also worked most amicably with the board, and had appreciated everything and accepted everything which the board had put before him.

Referring to the negotiations regarding meat. Mr Duncan said it was a very complicated business. The British Government was very unwilling to give better prices than those obtained in recent years. The last year for which the season's figures were available was 1938, and the British Government had based its offer to take the whole of the New Zealand output of meat on that year. Since then, the British Government had agreed to increase the 1938 figures for ewe mutton, which was an important part of the export trade, reflected not only in the price of mutton itself but also in the position of the hill country farmer. The British Government were definitely of the opinion that it wanted no profiteering, and no such .position as had arisen under the commandeer in the last war, when the storage accommodation . on meat paid to some companies was very huge indeed. The British Government had taken strong exception to that, and said there was to be no storage charge, but they would take the meat on an f.o.b. basis. They had the shipping in their hands and if they did not take the meat in a reasonable time Now Zealand had the right to open up the position with them regarding storage. As to wool, that did not come under the board's hands, although certain matters were taken up with the Government. The question of hides and tallow was still under negotiation with the Home Government but at the moment, said Mr Duncan, he was not in a position to disclose anything, but he believed the Government would be ready to make an announcement regarding hides either that night or the next night. He advised farmers to put cattle in the freezing companies on the understanding that if there were any increase in the price for hides they would benefit from it.

Passing on to refer to the freezing companies’ schedule. Mr Duncan stressed the fact, that neither the Meat Board nor the Government had anything to do with the schedule, which was sent out by the freezing companies themselves. Mr Nash had, however, recently given power to investigate the schedule and information was now being received with a view to ascertaining the position about, the costs charged. A committee was set up by the Government embracing practically everyone associated with the export meat trade and from it a Committee of Procedure sprang up, composed of experts, to go fully into costing. They had proposed a drafting rate of ,27d per lb, which meant 10d per head for lambs,. Is 3d for sheep, and 8s Gd for cattle. That would have meant that the freezing companies would have been entitled to charge the farmer that amount before the stock left the farmer's gate. Mr Duncan said the position was so absurd that he could not agree to it, and he had insisted that the farmer should have the right to put stock into the works on his own account. A deadlock arose, but Mr Duncan said he was determined that that was not going to be forced on the farmer. The freezing companies had the right to make their schedule, and put it" out in the ordinary way, but Mr Duncan said he regretted that they had found it necessary to alter the system of schedule buying. Il was no time to bring out a new schedule. The board had not had the opportunity yet to investigate it. but the Government was getting information that might be useful. Mr Nash had put a proviso in the agreement that the freezing companies books would be subject to Government audit, and that Mr Duncan considered was a very fair safeguard on behalf of the producers. The greatest trouble in connection with that, aspect of the position was the alteration to the schedule, which made many people doubtful that they were getting all that they should get. It was most unfortunate that that doubt should be in existence.

Replying to a question raised by Mr W. A. lores as to efforts to get a better schedule for light weight chilled beef. Mr Dunean said one price'was paid for all beef up to IHOIbs. The British Government would not agree to an enhanced price for lighter weights. It had been perfectly fail' in its attitude, in regard to beef prices, as it wanted frozen beef and had accepted it at chilled beef prices.

To a point mentioned by Mr W. F. McLaren, Mr Duncan said everyone who had put lamias into the freezing companies should demand something more for them following Ihe increase for shpe wool. Mr L. T. Daniell, referring Io complaints about slipc wool prices, mid io the fact that one company was prepar-

ed to refund to growers a proportion of the profits made following the increased price, asked Mr Duncan if he was prepared to approach other freezing companies so that that stop was made universal.

Mr Duncan said he would be prepared to take up the mutter with the meat controller.

Sir William Perry said he considered the railway freight rate for frozen meat from Masterion to Wellington to bo excessive. It was 8d for 3lilb lambs and 5s lOj'd for cattle. Mr Duncan said lie thought there was little difference ill the railage charges for live and dead meat. If it was possible to get costs reduced the board definitely would do everything it could. Mr H. J. W. Lord asked if it was possible for individual farmers to draft their own sheep and avoid some of the costs. It appeared to him that the Meat Board did not know all the information that it should know.

Mr Duncan pointed out that the board could investigate any complaints but the whole responsibility for the schedule was on the freezing companies of this country. When the information asked for had been obtained it would be possible to see if the costs corresponded to those in previous schedules. The present charges were all embodied as far as the freezing companies were concerned in the schedule rate.

"Are they fairly consistent or on a par with the charges of companies in previous years?” asked Mr J. M. James. Mr Duncan: "The freezing charges in most North' Island works are lower than they have been in the past."

Mr McDonald said ho had found on inquiries that he had made that the Government had not taken the Meat Board into its confidence.

Mr Lord objected to the method of election of Meat Board members, stating that many farmers were dissatisfied with the present College system. He urged that they should have a direct postal rate. Mr Duncan said he believed the present system to be the best in the interests of the farmers of this country. He paid a tribute to the representation that the Wairarapa had had in the past and the board had always had good representatives on it. It would be very dangerous, he hold, to alter a system that had proved of so much benefit. Si)' William Perry agreed that the present system was the best.

Mr McDonald maintained, however, that the Wairarapa was not represented on the board and never would be represented under the present College system, which was liable to lend itself to graft. He went on io say that the information given by Mr Duncan had not been as full as they Had expected it to be.

Mr Maclean who explained how he came to be a member of the board said that as long as he was associated with it he would represent Wairarapa interests as much as lie would his own district's. It was a Now Zealand organisation. He assei'ted that the present system of election was the best one. lie did not now oil a better one. On the motion of Mr G. .11. Perry, Messrs Dun cam and Maclean wore accorded a vote, of thanks.