MEAT FOR LONDON.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 41, 18 February 1929, Page 4

MEAT FOR LONDON.

A YEAR'S SUPPLY. ARGENTINE FOR BEEF. NEW ZEALAND FOR LAMB. The terming millions of London obtain their meat supplies from many sources ami tables published below furnish interesting details in this connection. According to returns published by the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board, the supplies to Ihc Central Markets at Smithliel'l for the years ended December 31, 1027 and 1928, were as follow: — KKKF AND VEAL. l'.C's. 10^7. Tuns. Tons. P.lilain and Ireland .. 43,144 47..".",8 \ list im Mil ''>.-'•'■.« -.T"»S Now Zrnlnnd 2,030 1,202 < 'nnadn 7.". 827 mlt ell States America »<»'•• 1.814 Argentina 177. Ps 201.(Mil I'nigiiny, etc 10,721 0.0'.J7 Netherlands —• — in tier countries — —" Total 240,001 201.810 MUTTON* AND LAMB. Britain and Ireland .. 35,600 30.021 Australia 6,949 18,582 New Zealand 60,430 65,600 Canada '•' — - I'nltiMl States America _ 105 ( [}•_■ Argentina 20,J1.">7 21,1.>.> I'nizuay. He. ~ 3.805 -4.0D0 Netherlands — — Oilier countries — -— Total 130,345 150,107 PORK AND BACON. Britain and Ireland .. 36,038 30,203 Australia 114 102 New Zealand 1.490 4'.>r, Canada 120 242 Inked States America 1,484 07.» Argentina 800 1,100 Uruguay, etc 2S S •Netherlands 5,122 3,380 •Other countries ...... 2.4.15 2,215 Total 48,347 38,965 •Bacon. From the foregoing it will be seen that Great Britain supplies just over a quarter of the total. Of the balance the Argentine is easily first as a supplier of beef, •with New Zealand supreme in lamb and mutton. But the Englishman is more fond of beef than of other meat foods, and the vast ranches of the South American republic can cater for beef requirements on a scale that is not possible elsewhere. Approximately Argentine's total contribution is 47 per cent of the whole of the meat sold, New Zealand's 16 per cent, and Australia's 3 per cent.. Considering the area of Australia, it is surprising that the Commonwealth's quota is not greater, but severe drought.-; played havoc with the cattle of Queensland in recent years and such trade as was formerly held has been lost. Comparing the past two years it will bo noted that Argentina exported less beef than in 1927, but Uruguay nearly doubled 1 Its former output. New Zealand shipped a fair quantity, but is likely to send very little this year. This country exported to London more mutton and lamb than in 1927, but the substantial increase in Argentina's share serves as a reminder that competition from that source must always be expected and may become acute. A striking feature is the big increase ■fl» the receipts of pork and bacon. Prevented by the foot and mouth embargo from shipping pork, the Netherlands hav« evidently concentrated on the bacon trade with conspicuous success. The chief result of the embargo, however, has been to show that the farmers of the Old Country can produce most of the pork and bacon needed in the bi« cities. New Zealand's trade in this class, though small, is steadily growing and 1929 will probably •how a further advance.