BACON OUTLOOK

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21368, 12 March 1941, Page 6

BACON OUTLOOK

PROBLEM FOR DOMINION j PREPARING FOR CHANGES COMPETITION FROM CANADA In view of the increasing amount of bacon being supplied by Canada to Great Britain, the growing seriousness of the shipping situation and the probable political pressure from American pastoral interests for reciprocal trade with Britain in exchange for the lease and lend priviledges, it is as well to be prepared i for possible changes in our export outlook for bacon, states Mr W. A. Phillips, chairman of directors, in his monthly message to suppliers. Although in normal times as a competitor for Britain’s bacon trade Canada’s claims were formidable, in time oil war because of the para- • mount importance of shipping facii lities, time and costs these are inj finitely more so, continues Mr Phillips. Canadian Warning Referring to Canada’s agreement witn Britain, Mr Phillips said that the Canadian Minister of Agriculture issued the following warning:— “The agreement does not mean that we would be safe in Canada at the present time to go on greatly increasing pig production. We should establish pig production in Canada at the present time and put ourselves in a position to supply this amount throughout the year. . .” A Canadian authority states that I bacon ranks fourth on Great Brit- ! ain's present list of essential food ; products, but there is strong senti- . ment in Government circles and else- ! where in Great Britain that it could j be placed much lower in the list beJ cause: (a) Bacon costs too much for its food value, and (b) The sources of supply have been so reduced that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to maintain a worthwhile ration. MINISTER’S STATEMENT POSITION DETERIORATED WELLINGTON, Tuesday “All I can say is that the shipping position has deteriorated,” said the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, in an interview tonight on the prospects of shipping New Zealand meat to England. He said that negotiations were continuing between the Government and producers an production problems. Further conferences would be held in Wellington toward the end of this week. Mr Barclay added that other problems associated with primary products were being discussed with 1 the interested bodies, and also with individual producers. Agreements had 1 been practically reached on certain principles, and the details to implement the Government’s proposals were being worked out. POSITION SERIOUS MEAT SITUATION DELAY IN POLICY CBy TeleßTSDn. —Press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Concern at the meat situation and the delay of the Government in announcing the policy it is intending to adopt during the coming production season is expressed by Mr W. J. Poison, M.P. for Stratford, in a letter sent on March 7 to the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. J. G. Barclay. Mr Poison said that the meat question ranked next in national importance to the war and should be considered from this national angle. No reply to his letter had been received by Mr Poison last night, and his object in handing the letter to the press was to let the farmers know the facts of the seriousness of the position. In the course of his letter Mr Poison states that he has been assured that the further storage of meat was possible and that equipment could be procured for it. Also that with the passing of the Lease and Lend Bill by the United States, the shipping position was not entirely hopeless and at a later date it might even be possible to expose of all meat in store. He believed it to be New Zealand’s duty to store as much meat as possible and, in any case, the producers must be protected against bankruptcy. They must be paid for what meat was in store after September 30. He hoped the Government would make an early decision for already farmers had mated their flocks and were setting out on plans for next year’s production. MORE DIFFICULT OPINION IN WAIKATO FURTHER TIGHTENING UP There is a general expectation in Waikato meat trade circles that the export position in' regard to certain classes of meat will become increasingly difficult. Cheaper classes of meat, it is considered, will have to be more or less ignored and preference given to only top quality classes. Despite the fact that shipping space is being saved by the telescoping of mutton carcases and the shipping of bacon in Wiltshire sides, a further tightening up is thought by some authorities to be inevitable. The future of bacon exports is causing some concern but no definite announcement, it is reported, has yet been made by official circles.