MEAT PRODUCTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 October 1941, Page 6

MEAT PRODUCTION

PROSPECTS BRIGHT REVIEW BY MR lORNS. CONTRACT WITH IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT. ("Times-Age” Special.) An indication that prospects for the meat produced would be considerably brighter this season than was the case last season was given by Mr W. lorns, district representative on the Meat Board, at today’s meeting of the Wairarapa and East Coast P. and A. Society. Mr lorns stressed the point that the Imperial 'Government had reversed its previous request for increased production, and had now told the New Zealand Government that it did not want the farmers to increase their meat production for the duration of the war on account of shipping difficulties. Mr lorns, at the outset, expressed appreciation on his own and Mr A. McDonald’s behalf, of the ..confidence shown by the farmers in re-electing them as representatives on the Meat Board.

Mr iorns said that he had good news | to tell the meat producers. The Government had succeeded in getting the Imperial Government to purchase 275,000 tons of meat for the duration of the war and one year after. The position could be regarded as being very satisfactory. The figure had been arrived at on the basis of the average output of exported meat prior to the war. The price had not been fixed. If the full amount could not be shipped the New Zealand and the Imperial Governments would bear the price paid to the producers. Mr lorns said that the position regarding ewe mutton was excellent. It looked as if all the ewe mutton in cold store would be shipped. The Government had indicated that it would have all meat killed at the works as it came. Pelts for lambs would be worth Is 3d more this season, and ewes and wethers Is 4d more. As the season advanced, and wool grew, there would be a variation in price. The price fox ewes would start from about 10s 6d to Ils. At the present time it was not known if the 250,000 ton contract included the 11,000 tons of bacon requested by the Imperial Government. The Government had rigidly requested the right to close down the works towards the end of the season. It was possible that there would be a small purchase of prime beef. Mr lorns expressed the opinion that freezing com panies in the North Island could reduce their charges to enable any loss to the meat producers to be spread over meat interests. . On the motion of the president, Mr J. A. McLeod, the speaker was accorded a vote of thanks. A resolution was passed expressing the Society’s appreciation of the manner in which the Government was financing the payment for meat and for negotiating the contract with the English Government. Mr lorns said that the farming community owed a debt of gratitude to the Government in that connection.