IMPROVED GRADING

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20258, 29 July 1937, Page 8

IMPROVED GRADING

PIG MARKET FORM. FAVOURED BY CONFERENCE. BETTER EXPORT QUALITY. The vital necessity of an improved system of grading of pigs for export was stressed at the fifth annual conference of the New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association In Hamilton, to-day, when delegates from all parts of the Dominion supported the association’s policy of urging the payment of a premium for top grade baconers. Considerable discussion centred on the present state of the bobby calf Industry which delegates described as being In urgent need of reform. The conference also expressed the view that the time was opportune for direct representation of the Industry on the New Zealand ” 7, Board.

Delegates were welcomed by tin chairman of directors of the assocla* tlon, Mr. W. A. Phillips, who expressed the directorate’s appreciation of the large attendance for the association's fifth conference. Their presence was Indicative of the growing Importance of the pig industry and of the urgency of the many problems confronting It. The disparity In the grading In New Zealand and In England was stressed by a Gisborne districts’ delegate who urged that the Dairy Board representative on the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board be requested to press for tiie sending to England each year of at least one of the supervising graders, in order that they should become thoroughly conversant with the requirements of the British market. In seconding the remit pro forma, Mr. Phillips said that If the proper standardised system of grading In terms of the association’s proposals were inaugurated the existing difficulties would he overcome. A remit expressing the views of the Gisborne delegate was carried unanimously. Necessary Reform. 44 The industry has got to pay for any improvement and the future of the Industry is bound up with bacon pigs,” replied Mr. Phillips to a statement that pork producers did not favour a premium on bacon pigs only. The Dominion had to concentrate on the improvement of its bacon pigs to compete with the article from foreign competing countries, fo r New Zealand had only a limited market for pork but an unlimited market for bacon, commented the speaker. Mr W. H. Allen, Tirau, said that from Information received it was apparent that the Mother Country wu more and more supplying its own pork market. The future of the industry in New Zealand lay in supplying the overseas bacon market. The proposed levy to supply a fund for the paying of a premium would be on all pigs whether bought in the saleyards or paddock, explained Mr PhiLlips. The association wanted the levy to be collected by an independent body that had no axe to grind in the buying or selling of pigs for the body concerned would be responsible for any money that might accumulate. The meeting was unanimously of the opinion that the following resolution should be forwarded to the Minister of Agriculture: *• That this meeting urges the necessity for prompt action In instituting the following vital reforms affecting the future welfare of the pig Industry:

“ (1) That an improved standard of grading, at the outset to apply to fiaconer pigs only, Is essential to the continued successful development of our export nad local tarde. (2) That In our opinion the payment of an adequate premium for the quality desired offers the only effective means to achieve this objective. (3) As the Industry as a whole would benefit from the Improvement gained we consider that the cost of such premium should be found by a levy over all pigs slaughtered and that the collection and distribution of such levy in the manner already prescribed should become the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture. (4) That in the opinion of tills meeting the payment of such levy should be made by the slaughtering units who would, as in the case of other charges incidental to the slaughtering and export of pigs, include this, at a small additional cost against the buyer, in their general charges. (5) Being apprehensive of the effect which outside influences could have by the variation of these proposals, wc desire to emphasise that the considerations prompting these resolutions have absolutely no room for any alteration in principle or application.” Rail Freights. Altogether some 60 porkers could be put into one truck, but only 40 to 50 baconers, said Mr L. A. Newell, Tokoroa, in suggesting that rail’ freights be adjusted to actual costs, and that porkers be charged two-flftlis and baconers three-fifths freight. “ If we introduced a different system, without the agreement of our competitors, it might not be too well received," said Mr Phillips, though there is some merit in the suggestion.” He suggested, however, that it would be inadvisable to take steps at any time which would encourage the production of porkers at the expense of baconers. In reply to a delegate who asserted that the producer of porkers should not be penalised in favour of bacon producers, Mr C. 11. M. Sorensen, Taranaki, stated that the conference had to approach the matter from a national viewpoint, for delegates had to remember that if a surfeit of porkers were produced there would naturally be a substantial drop in pork prices. Mr Newell’s suggestion failed to obtain the support of the conference.